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16:55: It’s all over for Albion and Villa this afternoon and there’s little to cheer for either club, the Baggies going down 3-1 at home to Blackburn as the claret and blues were routed 4-0 at Manchester City.

Albion were made to pay for conceding early goals in both halves to Nikola Kalinic, who was later sent off, each side of Jerome Thomas’ equaliser.

Mame Diouf’s strike for Blackburn settled the game, before the Baggies were also reduced to 10 men after Gabriel Tamas was red carded.

A nightmare opening half an hour at Eastlands against the new Premier League leaders was a blow Villa never recovered from.

Two goals from Mario Balotelli and one from Joleon Lescott were added to by Balotelli completing his hat-trick – a second from the penalty spot – after the break.

Birmingham complete the action for our teams in the region against Manchester United live on Sky Sports tonight with the stakes high for both teams, Blues need a result to climb out of the relegation places while a point will restore United to the top of the table.

Wolves are still bottom of the Premier League but have a chance to do something about it at Anfield tomorrow night, when Mick McCarthy’s men go to Liverpool.

Walsall’s home game against Dagenham & Redbridge, due to be played this afternoon, was called off yesterday due to a frozen pitch, the fourth match the Saddlers have lost to the weather this month.

16:50: Full-time around the grounds across the country.

16:45: Sunderland have missed a host of chances to equalise against Blackpool at the Stadium of Light and again it has cost them, DJ Campbell has scored his second of the game and it’s set to end 2-0.

16:42: It’s 10 men apiece at the Hawthorns as Albion lose a man against Blackburn, Baggies defender Gabriel Tamas follows two-goal striker Nikola Kalinic down the tunnel after a red card.

16:36: It looks like Tottenham are home and dry as they take a 2-0 lead against Newcastle at White Hart Lane, Gareth Bale gets the second goal.

16:19: It could turn the tide for Albion and has ended the game for Nikola Kalinic – Blackburn’s two-goal striker has been sent off but it’s still 3-1 to Rovers at the Hawthorns.

16:17: GOAL! Albion have been breached again as Blackburn take command by going 3-1 up at the Hawthorns, the Baggies defence are once more at fault as Mame Diouf finishes from close range.

16:12: Deadlock is broken at White Hart Lane and it’s gone to the home team Tottenham against Newcastle, wing wizard Aaron Lennon finds the net with his strike.

16:10: GOAL! Villa are now four goals down at Eastlands and it’s a hat-trick for Mario Balotelli with his second penalty of the game, given for Marc Albrighton’s challenge on Adam Johnson.

16:08: GOAL! Albion fall behind again to another goal early in the half and it’s the same protagonist – Nikola Kalinic with his second of the game.

16:05: Blackpool just won’t roll over and have stunned Sunderland by taking the lead at the Stadium of Light in the second-half, DJ Campbell gets the goal for the visitors.

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

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

15:27: GOAL! Villa look out of it with less than half an hour gone at Eastlands – Mario Balotelli’s second goal of the game has put Manchester City 3-0 ahead.

15:17: GOAL! Albion have recovered from the shock of conceding an early goal by getting the equaliser against Blackburn at the Hawthorns, Jerome Thomas fires home from close range.

15:13: GOAL! It’s an uphill battle now for Villa at Eastlands as Manchester City get a second goal early on, ex-Wolves defender Joleon Lescott heads in.

15:10: Birmingham might well need a result at home to Manchester United tonight and Chris Baird is the unlikely hero again, the defender’s second goal of the game has Fulham two goals up at Stoke.

15:08: GOAL! It’s bad news for Villa at Eastlands with an early goal for Manchester City from the penalty spot, Eric Lichaj fells Mario Balotelli and the striker picks himself up to open the scoring.

15:07: A Zubar head is in his hands and it’s an Albion man who has stuck the knife in – Lee Hughes gets the goal as Notts County equalise against Stephane’s Plymouth in League One.

15:04: At least one of the Zubars is enjoying the festive season – Ronald’s brother Stephane’s first goal for Plymouth gives them the lead against Notts County in League One.

15:04: Fulham could dump Birmingham into the relegation places this afternoon if they hold on to an early lead taken at the Britannia Stadium, defender Chris Baird up from the back to score.

15:03: GOAL! It’s the worst possible start for Albion at the Hawthorns as their defence goes completely to sleep, letting in Nikola Kalinic with a cool finish to put Blackburn ahead.

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

14:30: It’s the second match day of the festive season as Albion and Villa of our teams in the region play this afternoon, with Birmingham playing host to Manchester United in the Sky Sports televised game tonight.

Albion welcome Blackburn to the Hawthorns looking to bounce back from defeats on the road at Villa and Bolton, which has seen them slip into mid-table.

Villa are also in need of a good result after losing at home to Tottenham on Boxing Day but it’s another tough task this afternoon and away from the West Midlands, against a Manchester City team who could go top of the Premier League with a win.

There appears to be discontent in the dressing room as well – boss Gerard Houllier has left both Richard Dunne and Stephen Ireland at home today.

Walsall would have been playing this afternoon but the weather has put paid to that for a fourth time this month, this time a home game with Dagenham & Redbridge.

Wolves will be bottom of the Premier League tonight in any case and the need for points will be paramount tomorrow night, when Mick McCarthy’s men go to Anfield to play Liverpool.

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 Villa and Albion then create your own debate by adding your comments below.