By Paul Brown

Ron Atkinson has backed Villa to come good against Middlesbrough - because of their fantastic record at the Riverside Stadium.

Villa have won their last three away ties - and five of the last six fixtures - on Teesside. They include the Luke Moore-inspired 4-0 victory in 2006 and the 5-2 thrashing in 2003 - Graham Taylor's first away success of that season.

Atkinson believes in 'horses for courses' and thinks this will stand Villa in good stead this weekend.

He told AVTV: "Villa have a very good record at Middlesbrough - an excellent record.

"It does affect you positively if you have done well at a ground in the past. It shouldn't do because it is usually a different set of players and sometimes a different manager.

"But there is a horses for courses thing in football. I certainly believe in it and Villa have that with Middlesbrough.

"It may not have been the Riverside but I can remember winning there 3-2 in 1992 at Ayresome Park. Dean Saunders and Steve Froggatt ripped them to pieces that day."