Paul Scharner: West Brom can beat derby jinx

Defender Paul Scharner today claimed Albion are ready to make more history on Saturday by ending their 25-year Villa derby hoodoo.

Scharner believes the Baggies are in the form to defeat Villa for the first time since 1985 - and re-write another chapter in the club's record books.

This season has already seen Albion claim a first league victory in 27 years at Arsenal, a first league win in 31 years at Everton and a first league win against Newcastle since 1984.

And Scharner believes they can defeat the Villans for the first time since Canadian Carl Valentine scored the only goal in a 1-0 success in 1985, but the Austria international has warned it will not be straightforward.

"The question this season is how many records can we break?" he said.

"We did it against Arsenal, Newcastle, Everton and so on, and there is a high potential this season to break this one as well.

"But it is a very difficult game and it's a derby game. It is very different to other games but we have good confidence from the last two games and there is a high chance to win the game."

The Baggies will head to Villa Park as the highest-placed of the West Midlands' four Premier League sides.

And Scharner believes Saturday's game and the home clash with Wolves eight days later could have a major bearing on whether they can remain the region's top team.

"The fans this season are quite happy with us because for most of the time we have been the best club in the West Midlands," he said.

"We are there at the moment and hopefully we can keep it as long as possible. That means that the next two games are vital."

But Scharner, who joined from Wigan on a free transfer, insisted he was not surprised by the impressive campaign. "I haven't really been surprised because there is a very good squad here," he said.

"They kept the squad from the promotion, which is why there is a good team spirit."