Aston Villa have shown positive signs in recent weeks, and with Dean Smith's side well in the hunt for promotion, many Villa fans will be dreaming of a return to the Premier League. 

Smith's side are currently sat 8th in the Championship table, and are just three points behind Sheffield United who currently occupy the last play-off spot.

They face West Brom this evening in an eagerly anticipated clash between the two Championship heavyweights who will be looking to put the pressure on Norwich at the top of the table.

It will be a crucial set of fixtures over the festive period and Dean Smith will be hoping his side can get off to the perfect start to ahead of the Christmas run in with three points against their bitter local rivals.

All of the pressure will be on the Baggies who will need to respond well after they were held to a draw against Brentford, who have been in a terrible run of form recently.

But we look at the reasons why Villa will justify their promotion credentials with a win over the Baggies this evening.

Find out what those reasons are here.....

It may have taken him a bit longer than expected, but Dean Smith is certainly finding his feet in charge of his boyhood club.

The main reason behind that has been that he seems to have found his strongest starting XI which will be a boost to the Villa boss heading into the festive period.

Smith is showing exactly why he was a man in demand when Villa were chasing him as Steve Bruce's successor earlier in the season.

Villa are unbeaten in their last five league matches and have certainly beaten some impressive teams along the way.

Smith's side have beaten fellow promotion contenders, Derby and Middlesbrough in this unbeaten run, and they will be keen to despatch of West Brom in a ruthless manner, just like they did with Boro last weekend.

Aston Villa have been clinical in front of goal in recent weeks and they have notched up an astonishing 17 goals in their last five league games.

The form shown by Tammy Abraham in particular has been impressive, with the forward picking up November's Sky Bet Championship player of the month award after scoring six goals, including four in one match against Nottingham Forest in a thrilling 5-5 draw at Villa Park.

If they can play to their attacking strengths tonight, then they will have no trouble in earning three points against the Baggies.