Dion Dublin
Former Leicester and Aston Villa forward on Final Score

Image source, Getty Images

"With Andros Townsend, we always knew that quality was there. We'd seen it in spurts at Spurs and for England. But give this winger game time and he will be a match-winner at Newcastle.

"There are three teams fighting relegation. With someone like Townsend, Newcastle have a player who can do something special. So have Sunderland. Norwich just don't."

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Both Aston Villa and Newcastle supporters are faring almost as bad as their teams - scrapping around in the bottom five.

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Steve Wilson
BBC Match of the Day commentator at Villa Park

"When, in 2011, it was reported that Rafa Benitez told Villa owner Randy Lerner that he didn't want to be considered for the job of manager, it seems the Spaniard knew what he was doing.

"Five seasons and five managers later, Villa are an object of ridicule - even to their own fans.

"Clearly Benitez had his doubts about Newcastle too, hence the relegation get-out clause, but eight points from the last four games is a terrific tally, especially for a side which looked almost as hopeless as Villa during the last weeks of Steve McClaren's tenure.

"If Newcastle were to become the 12th team in succession to beat Villa they would go to 36 points - enough to stay up in four of the last seven seasons.

"Enough this time? It'll be close."

There are an awful lot of Aston Villa fans with beach balls as we await kick-off. Are they going to play some part in a protest here?

Are Rafa's resurgent Newcastle almost certain to take something home from Villa Park? Not necessarily, says Shay Given. (Although clearly a man who lists both Villa and Newcastle on his playing CV is not going to write off either side...)

“My concern for Newcastle is that everyone is saying 'they're playing Aston Villa, there’s three points’. If they veer away from the game plan that Rafa has been coaching them all week then Villa can surprise them," the Irishman tells 5 live Sport.

"Villa manager Eric Black will be saying to them it is ‘the last game in the Premier League at home let’s finish on a high. Newcastle have to be careful. It is a tougher game than people are making out it will be.”

Image source, Reuters

Eight points in four matches (including fightbacks for draws against Man City and Liverpool). Out of the bottom three. Renewed belief. What's Rafa's secret?

“Rafa has a calm influence but he is so tactical and technical," says injured Newcastle keeper Rob Elliot. "He goes through the finer details and he leaves no stone unturned. 

"He makes sure every situation is covered.He's worked on our concentration and discipline, that's why we’ve gone behind in games but have managed to grind it out and get us back into situations where we’ve got points rather than lost."

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez: “I think it’s a very difficult game. Aston Villa did very well in the last game. We have to give everything, as we have in the last few games.

“It’s not easy for Villa because they are already relegated. We have to stay focused and concentrated.

“We can manage with an unchanged team. We are playing one game a week, and we are recovering some players, so we can manage. The team is fit, and I can see their belief every time we win."

Newcastle United are unchanged from the side who beat Crystal Palace 1-0 last Saturday. Manager Rafa Benitez has gone for consistency as he seeks to build on their four-match unbeaten run.

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Aston Villa caretaker-manager Eric Black: “I think we took one small step at Watford last week. The performance was excellent. Today we have another opportunity to letting the supporters see we have a little pride about us.

“The only way you can show supporters you care is in the 90 minutes on a Saturday or a Tuesday night.

“Newcastle obviously want to try to win, but it’s nothing to do with us. We want to put on a performance today for our fans.”

Two changes for Aston Villa, both enforced, and seemingly leading to something of a tactical reshuffle. Striker Rudy Gestede has a groin problem, and left-back Aly Cissokho is suspended, so midfielder Carlos Sanchez and forward Scott Sinclair come in. Caretaker-manager Eric Black looks to have switched to a back three, with Leandro Bacuna playing as a left-wing-back.

Image source, #bbcfootball

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa's woes have been well documented; bottom of the Premier League, long since relegated, on a run of 11 successive defeats and in meltdown in the boardroom. Their last home match against Southampton saw significant fan protests; more have been planned for today.

Image source, Getty Images

Seven years on, Newcastle visit Villa Park with their Premier League future in the balance once more. They have no margin for error.

Rafa Benitez's side, though, are the team in form at the bottom, with eight points from their last four matches, including vital home wins against Swansea and Crystal Palace.

Image source, Getty Images

This road looks familiar. 24 May, 2009. Newcastle, under the interim managership of Alan Shearer, needed a point at Aston Villa to stay in the Premier League. They fell tamely, to a 1-0 defeat, and were relegated. Slightly different circumstances at Villa Park today, but the danger for the visitors is no less real. Good afternoon.