Villa's reserve side, winners for the third consecutive year of the Barclays Premier Reserve League South last season, will kick off the 2010-11 campaign with a trip to Manchester City.

Last year's national play-off finalists begin their season in the new and revamped three-division Barclays Premier Reserve League competition with a tough away assignment on Tuesday, August 31.

A revised format will see Kevin MacDonald's team compete in the Southern Group along with Arsenal, Chelsea, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham and Wolves - and the team will also play against clubs from Northern Groups A and B during the 20-game season.

Following new guidelines issued by the Premier League in response to the flexibility required by clubs, especially those clubs involved in European competition, some home games will be played on afternoons at Bodymoor Heath.

Villa's first home game will be against Blackpool at Bodymoor Heath on Monday, September 6 [kick-off 2pm], while the Claret and Blues are also pencilled in to take on Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham and Everton at Bodymoor.

However, there will still be plenty of action taking place at Villa Park, including derby fixtures against Wolves [October 18] and West Brom [November 22], along with exciting clashes with Arsenal [January 10], Chelsea [February 21] and Liverpool [April 4 which] are all scheduled to take place at the stadium.

The expanded competition means there will be two Northern Groups, with the winners of these groups playing off to determine the Northern League winners.

The Northern League winners will play the Southern Group winners to determine the Barclays Premier Reserve League play-off champions.

The club recognises the passion of supporters who follow our reserve team in action throughout the season and, in order to avoid anyone missing the action, the club will broadcast games to be played at Bodymoor Heath on our website at www.avfc.co.uk. Full details will follow.

FIXTURES 2010-11
Tue Aug 31 - Manchester City [A] - Hyde FC [7pm]
Mon Sep 6 - Blackpool [H] - Bodymoor Heath [ko 2pm]
Thu Sep 16 - Manchester United [A] - Altrincham [7pm]
Mon Sep 27 - Sunderland [H] - Bodymoor Heath [ko 3pm]
Tue Oct 5 - Newcastle United [A] - NUFC Training Ground [2.30pm]
Thur Oct 14 - Blackburn Rovers [H] - Bodymoor Heath [ko 2pm]
Mon Oct 18 - Wolverhampton Wanderers [H] - Villa Park [ko 7pm]
Tue Nov 2 - Arsenal [A] - London Colney [TBC]
Mon Nov 15 - West Ham United [H] - Bodymoor Heath [ko 12 noon]
Mon Nov 22 - West Bromwich Albion [H] - Villa Park [ko 7pm]
Wed Dec 8 - Chelsea [A] - Cobham Training Ground [TBC]
Mon Jan 10 - Arsenal [H] - Villa Park [ko 7pm]
Tue Jan 25 - West Ham United [A] - WHU Training Ground [ko 1pm]
Tue Feb 15 - West Bromwich Albion [A] - The Hawthorns [ko 7pm]
Mon Feb 21 - Chelsea [H] - Villa Park [ko 7pm]
Tue Mar 1 - Wolverhampton Wanderers [A] - AFC Telford Utd [ko 7pm]
Tue Mar 8 - Wigan Athletic [A] - Robin Park Arena [ko 7pm]
Mon Mar 14 - Everton [H] - Bodymoor Heath [ko 2pm]
Tue Mar 29 - Bolton Wanderers [A] - Lancashire FA [ko 7pm]
Mon Apr 4 - Liverpool [H] - Villa Park [ko 7pm]

Wed Apr 27 - Northern Groups play-off final [A v B]

Wed May 4 - Play-off final [North v South]