Match: Middlesbrough v Villa 
Venue: Riverside Stadium
Date: Saturday May 16 - ko 3pm
Referee: Mike Riley

COMMENTARY

Jack Woodward is joined by Chico Hamilton on AVTV.

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STAR MEN

Ashley Young has scored in Villa's last two away games against Bolton Wanderers and Fulham. The winger is undoubtedly on a high after recently being crowned PFA Young Player of the Year.

Strugglers Boro will be looking to Tuncay Sanli to conjure up the sort of magic which can get them out of trouble. He's managed six goals this season and the Turk has the never say die attitude and the trickery to inspire his team.

CLUB CONNECTION

Gareth Southgate was a favourite at Villa Park before moving to Boro, and now he's charged with the task of inspiring a great escape for the Teessiders. 

His leadership qualities were clear from his time at Crystal Palace. Southgate played in central midfield back then, and in 1994 he skippered them to the Division One title.

After departing for Villa in 1995 he was instrumental in helping his new team to UEFA Cup qualification. By then he had been converted to centre-back and played every game in the 1998-99 campaign.

Southgate was part of the Villa team that reached the FA Cup final in 2000 but almost a year later he was ready to move on and was snapped up by Middlesbrough.

Under his captaincy, Boro won their first major trophy - the 2004 Carling Cup. They also reached the 2006 UEFA Cup final and were beaten 4-0 by Seville. This was Southgate's last game as a professional player.

Following Steve McClaren's departure to succeed Sven Goran Eriksson as England boss, Southgate was given the chance to step up into the managerial hotseat at the Riverside.

INTERESTING STATS

If Boro lose and either Newcastle beat Fulham, or Hull win at Bolton, it will bring to an end an 11-year stay in the Barclays Premier League for the North East club.

Villa can secure fifth spot if they win and Everton are beaten by West Ham at Goodison Park.

 It's Villa's final opportunity to equal the club record they set in 1896-97 of 11 top-flight away wins.

Martin O'Neill's team have scored twice as many goals as Boro this season. They have managed 52 to the Teessiders' 26. However, Boro have only conceded seven more. They have let in 54 to Villa's 47.

The Riverside has been a happy hunting ground for Villa over the years. Victory on Saturday would be their sixth in seven visits and a fourth in succession. They have scored a total of 10 goals in their last three trips to Boro.

Middlesbrough took the spoils at Villa Park in November, but they have not done the double over Villa in top-flight football for 30 years.

PREVIOUSLY

Boro were 2-1 winners at Villa Park in November thanks to a brace from Tuncay. He slotted in Stewart Downing's cross on the half hour mark before Steve Sidwell cancelled out his strike. But a late winner from Tuncay ensured the Teessiders took home the points.

It was a much more one-sided affair last time the two sides met at the Riverside. Villa ran out 3-0 winners in November 2007, with goals from Olof Mellberg, John Carew and Gabby Agbonlahor ensuring a comfortable afternoon for Martin O'Neill's men.