Tuesday 28 January 2014 23:25, UK
West Brom coach Pepe Mel wanted former club Real Betis to sign Christian Benteke when he was in charge of the Spanish outfit.
Mel has wasted no time in preparing for what he describes as "a big game" on Wednesday, studying Villa closely. He has taken in their 2-1 home loss to Arsenal - played four days after his appointment - and 2-2 draw at Liverpool that followed, as well as watching back their meeting earlier this season with West Brom, which also finished 2-2. He said: "They are a very good team on the counter-attack, but they are also good playing it long and winning the second ball with Benteke. "My players know this and we have worked hard on stopping these things. "The 2-2 draw at The Hawthorns was a good match, but it is important for us to get three points this time."
