By Dan Harrison

Marc Albrighton has backed Villa's reserves to go one better than last season by winning the Barclays Premier Reserve League play-off final.

Villa's reward for retaining their Reserve League South title is a showpiece final this Thursday against northern champions Sunderland at Villa Park.

Albrighton says Kevin MacDonald's team are desperate to avenge last season's play-off defeat against Liverpool.

He told AVTV: "Last season was a great season - we won the Academy title and just lost out to Liverpool in the reserve final.

"At the start of this season our thoughts were on going one better and winning the play-off final at the end of the season."

It is hoped that a big crowd will be in attendance at Villa Park for the final and Albrighton was keen to praise the fans who turned out to see team clinch the league championship.

He added: "Fair play to the crowd that turned up. It was really good, they were a great crowd and I think all the boys were happy to win it in front of them."