Premier League - Friedel: No mercy for Toon

Eurosport - Thu, 21 May 13:31:00 2009

Aston Villa will show relegation-threatened Newcastle United no mercy when they bid to secure fifth spot in the Premier League in the final match of the season.

2008-2009 Aston Villa Brad Friedel - 0

Although Villa are guaranteed a place in the new Europa League next season, goalkeeper Brad Friedel told Talksport radio that Newcastle should not expect an easy time at Villa Park.

Newcastle realistically need a win on Sunday to save themselves from the drop, but a draw at Villa would suffice if Hull City lost to Manchester United.

"Our form has been a bit disappointing recently - but we are still fighting for a fifth place finish and that might not bode well for Newcastle as we definitely have something to play for," Friedel said.

"I know we've already qualified for the new Europa League, but we are professionals and we do want to do the best we can."

Villa are sixth, one point behind FA Cup finalists Everton who are at Fulham on Sunday.

"It's not a nice time for Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Hull," Friedel said.

"I was involved in one or two relegation battles in my time at Blackburn. I know Newcastle have a lot of very talented players, especially going forward. But when you get to games like this sometimes you tighten up and you're not able to show your stuff."

Friedel's remarks came as the debate continues about the impact Manchester United will have on the relegation battle.

United, who retained the title last weekend, face Hull just three days before playing Barcelona in the Champions League final in Rome and manager Alex Ferguson is likely to rest several senior players.

A win for Hull would keep them up, no matter what result Newcastle get at Villa Park.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 7 of 7

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  1. come on hull,you are the key that turns the final lock­ on doomed newcy.and premiership survival,I would­ suggest a roughy game,manu players will not want to get­ hurt in the run up to barca,thats where your advantage­ is,play it rough and tough.

    From impactclean, on Thu 21 May 4:24PM

  2. am a villa fan, typical villa will let newcastle win,­ villa just cant handle the big matches!! o neill come­ on buy 4 good players, get rid ur mate has been heskey­ and you will finish top for, u need a new goal keeper,­ brad freidel, is past it, he doesnt organise or talk­ to his defence, players like shorey, reo coker, wouldn­ t even get in a championship team, then you got lazy­ albanghor(wateva), he s good but very lazy at times,­ gone way too big headed, he's thinks he is good as­ ronaldo(man u) and he aint yet, can be, villa only has­ one decent striker carew, a team can not last on one­ striker,

    o neill cant handle the big names, this is­ where he has always failed.

    too many villa players­ play with no pride, i only see barry and milner who­ play with heart and pride.

    From rahul s, on Thu 21 May 3:26PM

  3. Haha send the magpies down, its the only way they will­ realise how far they have got to go before being a good­ team

    From XS, on Thu 21 May 2:53PM

  4. The Arshavin transfer "scandal", or lack of,­ is no excuse for our drop in form. We simply did not­ have a big enough squad to cope with the rigours of 3­ competitions. And along with that, Arsenal coming into­ form towards the end of the season and it was always­ going to be difficult. Hopefully we'll be better­ prepared for the challenge next season!

    From MichealS, on Thu 21 May 2:52PM

  5. 2, you should stop whining, arsenal are 4th not because­ of arshavin, but because of your horrible collapse in­ form. the league confirmed they had received the papers­ before midnight, but errors on their own behalf­ prevented the confirmation of it until the following­ day. sort your facts out.

    From Chris, on Thu 21 May 2:26PM

  6. Like most Villa fans I wouldn't like to see­ Newcastle go down, but we should try for 5th spot, just­ in case EUFA get there act together and sort out the­ Arshavin transfer window scandal.

    From tuscanvillan, on Thu 21 May 2:12PM

  7. No matter what. Ashely is still a @#$%.

    From Bobby Robson A Legend, on Thu 21 May 1:45PM
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