Brad Friedel has warned relegation-threatened Newcastle United that Aston Villa will not roll over this Sunday.
Alan Shearer's Newcastle need a positive result to keep alive their hopes of remaining in the top flight.
But Friedel insists Villa will be aiming to put their recent poor form behind them in the race to secure fifth place and edge out Everton.
nice time
Friedel said: "Our form has been a bit disappointing recently. But we are still fighting for a fifth-place finish and that might not bode well for Newcastle as we definitely have something to play for.
"After finishing in sixth place last season we do want to do better this season.
"I know we've already qualified for the Europa League but we are professionals and we do want to do the best we can all the time and we do want to secure that fifth spot."
Friedel has sympathy for the likes of Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Hull City after being involved in relegation dogfights at Blackburn Rovers before moving to Villa last summer.
He said: "It's not a nice time for the bottom clubs. I was involved in one or two relegation battles in my time at Blackburn.
"Specifically one season we found ourselves near the bottom with only a few games left. It's not a nice position and it's very difficult to play free-flowing football when you're in that predicament.
"I know Newcastle has a lot of very talented players, especially going forward. But when you get to games like this sometimes you tighten up and you're not able to show your stuff. It's not nice for any of those clubs. I don't wish relegation on anyone."
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