Newcastle and Prague await travelling stars

By cphilpotts

A GOOD week for Villa ended in a good way as victory over Ajax was swiftly followed by an impressive win away at Wigan.

The Ajax game was a huge one for the side and I think with the way the fans reacted and turned up in their numbers you could tell what it meant for everybody connected with the club.

Although they are not the side they once were Ajax are still a powerhouse in European terms and it was good to see Villa beat them like they did.

The game itself was a tight one and Villa scored when they had to, which is key.

They controlled the first half and got a goal exactly at the right time but then had to handle a bit of pressure in the second period.

That result was followed by the win at Wigan and from what I have heard it was a deserved three points albeit with a flattering scoreline.

Martin O'Neill would have been delighted with the way his side played and a bit worried I would think with Gareth Barry going off like he did.

Gareth's replacement was a good one in the end, though, as Steve Sidwell came on and got a debut goal.

One other player who came on and got a goal which was needed was John Carew.

John is a bit of a fans favourite and would have wanted to get a goal to end a tricky week.

I have no doubt that the lads have been ribbing John all week in training but it is all behind him now I would think.

The week will have left everybody on a high at the club and ready for Newcastle on Monday night.

Newcastle are better than there league position shows and they are starting to show signs of getting their act together now.

There results are starting to turn around a bit and I know they will want to push them on against Villa.

I see Villa being two strong, though and expect them to start next week well.

They will need to as they have another tough test on the Thursday night when they travel for an away day in Europe.

Slavia Prague just three days after Newcastle will test any side but I think Martin will be treating both games the same and expect to see similar sides in both encounters.

He will not be giving one game more attention than the other one and I think if you have aspirations like Villa this season you cannot afford to do that.

You have to treat every game the same and play your best team in them all.