Football fixtures 2011-12: Man Utd are first up for Albion

Albion will welcome champions Manchester United to The Hawthorns when the new Premier League season kicks off on August 13.

The Baggies continue their tradition of having a tough start to the season having faced Chelsea on opening day last year.

This time the Blues will be Albion's first away match on August 20.

The first Black Country derby is scheduled for October 15 at The Hawthorns while Albion will travel to Wolves on February 11.

Wolves kick off their season away at Blackburn who defeated them on the final day of this season while their first match at Molineux is against Fulham on August 20.

Mick McCarthy's men travel to Villa Park on August 27 and play host to Villa on Januray 21.

Albion must go to Villa Park on October 22 with the return fixture scheduled for April 28.

Villa kick off their season against Fulham at Craven Cottage with Blackburn the first visitors to Villa Park a week later.

The final day of the season on May 13 sees Villa travel to Norwich, Wolves at Wigan and Albion playing host to Arsenal.

In the Championship, whick kicks off on August 6, Blues travel to Derby before playing host to West Midlands rivals Coventry City a week later. Their season climaxes on April 28 at home to Reading.

In League One Walsall start at home to Leyton Orient before travelling to Hartlepool. The season finishes on May 5 against MK Dons.

* The football fixtures for the 2011-12 season released today are subject to change for TV or on police advice.