West Brom's Youssouf Mulumbu stokes up derby heat

Youssouf Mulumbu today kicked off the countdown to Albion's clash with Villa by claiming the derby showdown is as big as a Champions League tie for the Baggies.

Mulumbu is relishing the clubs' clash at The Hawthorns next Monday as he looks to replicate the winning goal in 2011 that sealed the Baggies' first win over Villa for 26 years.

Since then, Albion have finished above their rivals for two successive seasons and they meet a week tonight locked together on 14 points in the Premier League table.

"You need targets and beating Villa is another target," said Mulumbu. "I'm looking forward to this game. I've played in derbies against Wolves and Villa and the atmosphere is unbelievable.

"These games are really important to our fans. It's a really interesting game and a huge deal – like a Champions League game.

"I didn't know how fierce the rivalry was when I first came to Albion but I do now.

"The fans still talk about these games one month after. I remember when I scored against Aston Villa – the fans were singing my name even outside the stadium."

"I'd love to do that again."

The Baggies have produced a series of improved performances since a stuttering start to the season prompted an influx of new faces at the end of the summer transfer window.

And Mulumbu insists they can still beat last season's points tally and hit the 50-mark in the Premier League for the first time.

"As players we want to do better," he said.

"Last year we got 49 points – and we want to beat that."

Mulumbu has rediscovered his own best form in recent weeks after a mixed start to his fourth season in the Premier League.

The former Paris Saint Germain midfielder has become a key figure in the Baggies squad since his £150,000 capture by Tony Mowbray, and the 26-year-old believes he is improving all the time.

"I have improved a lot over my time in the Premier League," he said.

"When you play with good players you are going to improve.

"You need to step up.

"And the fact is I have managed to escape injury so I've played a lot of games in the Premier League is good.

"That means I've played in the best league in the world against the best players.

"You need to step your game up every weekend."