Mark Delaney says Aston Villa Under-23s are ready for the challenge of taking on Premier League 2 Division 2 champions-elect Leeds United on Friday night.
The Villans lost out 3-2 in the reverse fixture in December, despite having taken a two-goal lead.
And Delaney is certain his side will face another hard-fought game against Leeds, who can wrap up the title by avoiding defeat at Bodymoor Heath.
He said: “That was the most intense game of football we’ve played all year. They bring that with them with the way they do things.
“We matched them quite well in the first half going 2-0 up, but they never stopped coming at us, never stopped driving at us and got back into the game at 2-2 at half-time.
“We’re going to get that intensity again on Friday. The boys are ready for it and it will 90 minutes of ‘are you ready to defend? Are you ready to go toe-to-toe?’.
“We’re looking forward to it. They’re deservedly top of the league, they’re deservedly going to get promoted, so it’s a good chance to see what we’re like against the best team in the league.”
While Leeds are almost assured of the title with a 12-point lead at the top, Villa’s hopes of a play-off berth are hanging in the balance.
Sat in eighth, three points off the top five, the Young Lions have little margin for error over the final four games.
Delaney said: “We’ve looked at the league and we’ve looked at all the teams around us. Nobody wants to take that play-off place by the scruff of the neck at the moment.
“I do think if you can put two big results together, you’ll forge yourself forward. Equally with only four games to go, you lose a couple and you’ll be way behind the 8-ball.
“We know from now on we can’t afford any mistakes, we can’t afford any slip-ups and I’m sure all the teams around us will be saying the same thing.
“Friday’s a start for us and a positive result against the best team in the league would set us up nicely for the last three games.”
Supporters can watch the U23s v Leeds United by buying a match pass below. It costs £1.99 and all proceeds go to the Aston Villa Foundation.
