Before that they could still have some impact on the league as they play Newcastle, who have just managed to pull themselves out of the relegation zone but could be sucked back in if Villa can pick up any points from them.
Advertisement
Since being asked to clean up the mess left by predecessor Steve McClaren, Benitez has organised the Magpies into an actual team capable of challenging for points – evidenced by draws against Manchester City and Liverpool.
Whilst with Newcastle, Merson chooses to ignore the fact that the last four matches we have all seen a much different United as Rafa Benitez has worked his magic and got them playing as a team, with real commitment.
One of the most enjoyable wins there came in October, 1993, when newly-promoted Newcastle outclassed their hosts, running out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Andy Cole and Malcolm Allen.
“The Sob On The Tyne one is the one that always gets brought up when we play Newcastle”.
“We deserved the win”.
“A lot of my customers there are Newcastle fans and they know it was my banner and we have a laugh”.
The objective is to take that confidence outside St James’ Park.
And the man who created them, self-confessed 40-year-old “big kid” Leighton Castle, from Walsall, can’t wait to see the riposte from Newcastle fans now the tables are turned. Every point we can take is crucial at this stage.
With just two games remaining until the English Premier League season draws to a close, Leicester City’s miraculous season has everyone’s attention on them.
“Defeat on Saturday would be their 12th in a row, surpassing the tally set back in 1963, and would further incense the club’s fans, who are already planning a protest against owner Randy Lerner described as “#InTheAirOn74…
“It’s a fantastic football club with fantastic supporters and everything that surrounds it”, he told Villa’s official website.
At Villa Park, United have run out winners 19 times in total, and in the Premier League the Toon have found Villa Park quite to their liking, with the last reverse coming as long ago as April 2011.
Advertisement
“I think there is more of a twist than people think in this. That’s what we’ve spoken about with the players”.
