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17:00: A mixed day for our teams in the region as Wolves and Walsall both fall, and how damaging that defeat could be for Mick McCarthy’s men after a one-goal defeat in a game they really should have won at Bolton.

Everything went Albion’s way in the Championship as they return to second place by two points, a 3-1 win against Derby County all the more important after Nottingham Forest lost 3-0 at Leicester City.

Birmingham reached the magic 40 point mark at long last, with James McFadden’s goal in first-half stoppage time enough to see off the threat of Wigan Athletic.

Walsall ended up with a good hiding against Southampton after taking an early lead, capitulating to a 5-1 defeat at St Mary’s.

Villa, of course, play the big one tomorrow against holders Manchester United in the Carling Cup final at Wembley.

16:55: Full-time around the grounds across the country.

16:54: Walsall’s humilation at St Mary’s is complete – Adam Lallana’s goal has made it 5-1 to Southampton and we are into stoppage time.

16:45: Scrub that, because Albion are going back to second by two points – Andy King has made it 3-0 to Leicester City and there is no way back for Nottingham Forest at the Walkers Stadium now.

16:42: Albion are going back to second place by two points tonight as it stands – Leicester City are 2-0 up against Nottingham Forest through Paul Gallagher’s goal.

16:40: Albion are home and dry against Derby County at the Hawthorns now – Simon Cox with the finish and it’s 3-1 to the Baggies.

16:34: Albion have completed the turnaround and once again Chris Brunt is the Baggies hero, with his second strike of the afternoon making it 2-1 against Derby County at the Hawthorns.

16:33: Portsmouth just won’t lay down at Burnley today despite their woes and have taken the lead for the second time at Turf Moor through Hassan Yebda’s penalty, after Clarke Carlisle had fouled John Utaka.

16:30: This is getting better and better for Albion, as news filters through to the Hawthorns that Leicester City have taken the lead against second-placed Nottingham Forest through Bruno Berner – if it stays the same the Baggies will be second tonight.

16:26: All is not lost for Albion at the Hawthorns, as the sweet left-foot of Chris Brunt comes to the rescue with the equaliser against Derby County at the Hawthorns.

16:20: On-loan Albion defender Leon Barnett is hardly showering himself in glory at Coventry – the accident-prone central defender has just received his second red card in successive games for the Sky Blues at home to Scunthorpe.

16:17: It’s all over for Walsall at St Mary’s now – Rickie Lambert has just made it 4-1 to Southampton after Saints had trailed their opponents.

16:05: Newcastle United are starting to pull away from Nottingham Forest and Albion on top of the Championship now, goals from Fabricio Coloccini and Andy Carroll have them cruising 2-0 at Watford and could put them seven points clear of second tonight.

16:04: Bad news for Albion as they are stunned by a Derby County goal early in the second-half at the Hawthorns, Chris Porter with the opening goal for the Rams.

16:00: Second-half around the grounds across the country.

15:50: Half-time around the grounds across the country.

15:47: A vital goal goes Birmingham’s way as they take the lead against Wigan Athletic at St Andrew’s, James McFadden with the goal for Blues from the penalty spot after Mario Melchiot had fouled Keith Fahey.

15:45: A big blow for Wolves at the Reebok Stadium just before half-time as, against the run of play, Bolton go ahead and it was an ex-Villa man who ended the home side’s long goal drought – defender Zat Knight with the strike.

15:36: What a collapse for Walsall at St Mary’s – Lee Barnard has got his second goal in three minutes and Southampton are now 3-1 up after going behind.

15:33: The tables have been turned on Walsall as Southampton have come from behind to now lead at St Mary’s, profilic striker Lee Barnard with the goal for Saints.

13:31: So near, yet so far away for Portsmouth as the formidable at home Burnley equalise at Turf Moor, a great finish from Martin Paterson for the Clarets.

15:25: After a traumatic week for Portsmouth finally Pompey fans have something to cheer abour, as Frederic Piquionne taps in Jamie O’Hara’s cross at the far post to put the bottom club ahead against Burnley at Turf Moor.

15:08: The joy was shortlived for Walsall as Southampton pull level, Jason Puncheon with the equaliser for the home side at St Mary’s. All with eight minutes on the clock.

15:03: Three minutes in and Walsall have got off to a flier at St Mary’s by stunning Southampton with an early goal, one-time Saints target Matt Richards with the Saddlers’ strike.

15:00: Kick-off around the grounds across the country.

14:40: A fantastic game at Stamford Bridge sees league leaders Chelsea slip up to Manchester City in a 4-2 defeat, with braces for Frank Lampard, Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy, along with red cards for Juliano Belletti and Michael Ballack.

And, no, there was no handshake between John Terry and Wayne Bridge.

14:35: Leeds United miss the chance to go back to the top of League One after a late equaliser at Huddersfield, Gary Roberts’ strike securing a draw after goals from Jonathan Howson and Luciano Becchio cancel out Anthony Pilkington’s opener.

14:30: It’s cup final weekend for Villa but elsewhere all the focus is on league form, with Wolves facing a potentially pivotal clash up at Bolton in the race for survival.

At the right end of the top-flight table, Birmingham look for the win that will take them to the 40-point mark at the third attempt, with Wigan the visitors to St Andrew’s today.

At the top of the Championship, Albion look to break back into the top two of the Championship against Derby County at the Hawthorns, with second-placed Nottingham Forest facing an East Midlands derby at Leicester City.

In League One, Walsall face a tough trip to St Mary’s to play Southampton and, on recent form, who knows which Saddlers side will turn up today.

Then tomorrow it’s the big one, as Villa take on holders Manchester United in the Carling Cup final at Wembley.

14:15: Welcome to our online ‘Fans Forum’ as it happens around the grounds across the country this afternoon.

Follow all the latest news from Wolves, Albion, Birmingham and Walsall then create your own debate with other fans by adding your comments below.