By Dan Harrison

Villa's fixtures have been confirmed for the new Professional Development League, with the young guns travelling to Watford in the opening game of the season.

The young Villa side are set to compete in Group 2 of the new U21 competition, which replaces the old Barclays Premier Reserve League.

Gordon Cowans' team will come up against Manchester United, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Watford, Southampton, Stoke City and Sunderland in their group.

The season kicks off for the claret and blues with a trip to Watford at UCL Sports Ground on August 20.

The first home game of the campaign takes place against Stoke City on Saturday August 25.

Venues and kick-off times for Villa's home fixtures are to be confirmed at a later date.

Clubs competing in the Professional Development League have been split into three groups, with teams facing each other home and away between August and December.

The top three teams from Groups 1 and 2 and the top two sides in Group 3 then advance to a Elite Group Stage in the New Year, with the lower placed teams going into Qualification Groups Tier 1 and 2.

Play-off rounds, semi-finals and a final will then be held at the end of the season to confirm the overall champions.

Clubs will be allowed to field three over-age players in the Professional Development League.

The Professional Development League promises to be an exciting test for Villa's youngsters, who will also compete in the Barclays U18 Premier League, the FA Youth Cup and the NextGen Series this season.

GROUP ONE: Bolton Wanderers, Norwich City, Everton, West Ham United, Blackburn Rovers, Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion, Reading.

GROUP TWO: Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Watford, Sunderland, Southampton, VILLA, Stoke City.

GROUP THREE: Manchester City, Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough, Chelsea, Liverpool, Fulham, Wolverhampton Wanderers.

AUGUST 2012
Mon 20 - Watford v Villa - UCL Sports Ground - 1pm
Sat 25 - Villa v Stoke City - TBC - TBC

SEPTEMBER 2012
Mon 3 - Southampton v Villa - Staplewood TG - 2.30pm
Mon 24 - Sunderland v Villa - Academy of Light - 2pm

OCTOBER 2012
Mon 1 - Tottenham v Villa - TBC - 12pm
Mon 8 - Villa v Newcastle - TBC - 7pm
Sat 13 - Villa v Watford - TBC - TBC
Sat 20 - Villa v Southampton - TBC - TBC
Mon 29 - Stoke v Villa - TBC - 7.30pm

NOVEMBER 2012
Mon 12 - Villa v Sunderland - TBC - 7.30pm
Mon 19 - Manchester United v Villa - Altrincham FC - 7pm

DECEMBER 2012
Mon 3 - Newcastle v Villa - Northumberland FA - 7pm 
Mon 10 - Villa v Manchester United - TBC - TBC
Mon 17 - Villa v Tottenham - TBC - 7pm

Click here to buy season tickets for this new term as Villa embark on a vibrant new era.