Newcastle need to set the record straight against Aston Villa.

August 19th, 2010 | 206 Comments |

That sounds suspiciously like the start of a match preview but I can assure you it isn’t. That won’t be along until closer to the match itself.

St James’ Park is likely to at least be near to being a sell-out for the match, and that should help to spur on the lads to get the first points of the new season on the board. However, if that doesn’t work then those players that were at Newcastle when we got relegated need look no further than the footage of them being mocked at Villa Park on that final day of the season for inspiration.

Still, much bigger than the need for retribution against the minority of their fans who acted like arseholes, the ones who unfurled their pre-prepared banners, the ones who lined the streets outside Villa Park to stir up trouble with a set of fans who had just seen their team relegated, is the need for three points. (more…)