Kevin MacDonald’s Under 23 charges head to St James’ Park tonight where we will face Newcastle United in Premier League 2 action.
Aston Villa’s youngsters are four points behind Division 2 league leaders Blackburn Rovers, but having taken victory over them in our last game, tonight’s clash is our game in hand. If we make that count the four-point gap between the sides will shrink to a one-point affair and should we take victory over Norwich City at Villa Park this coming Monday, Blackburn cannot afford not to win their final game of the campaign if they want their hands on the title.
Our last match against them required Rovers to only take a point to end our hopes of silverware and they failed to do that, so if all goes our way it’s make or break for them after the fantastic season they’ve had at this level.
Tonight may decide our chances of the title, but in terms of promotion from Division 2, we have already secured our Play-Off spot for the season. In taking second spot, we are set to face the side that finishes fifth in a one-legged Semi-Final. Currently, that would be Reading, but with fixtures remaining it means Southampton, Fulham and Norwich City all stay in the mix at the time of typing.
Form-wise, Villa have won the last eight on the spin and Newcastle have lost four of their last five.
Kick off is at 7pm so over to the next generation – make us, and yourselves, proud!
