Aston Villa out to avoid another landmark

Last weekend's 4-2 home defeat to Southampton means the claret and blues are guaranteed to finish with the fewest number of league wins in a campaign.

Their tally of 25 losses to date is already the largest number suffered by the club in a single term, in any division – a statistic even more damning when you consider that, for much of their history, seasons have lasted four, sometimes eight games more.

The number of goals scored (25) and conceded (69) are well on course to set respective new lows and highs in the 38-game campaigns.

A loss at Watford tomorrow would, meanwhile, see this current Villa team equal the current club record of 11 straight league defeats, set under Joe Mercer in 1962-63.

That streak, which like the current one began in February, was finally broken in May and did not prove fatal to Mercer's side, who were able to haul themselves out of trouble and up to the somewhat respectable position of 15th thanks to three wins in the final five games.

What caretaker boss Eric Black would give for a similar end to the present campaign.

A couple of wins between now and May 15 might make no difference to Villa's ultimate fate but might bring some cheer for a man who has found himself in an almost impossible position since stepping up to replace Remi Garde last month.

"I want to try to win a game of football, I want to take another step with the players," said Black, when asked what is keeping him going amid the constant setbacks.

"The only way we can do that is with the performances on the pitch." The Scot's team selections have come under scrutiny by supporters who have had their fill of Leandro Bacuna and Joleon Lescott, among others, and want to see the club's younger players given a chance.

Black, however, fearful of placing inexperienced youngsters into such a volatile environment, is unlikely to field an entire team of under-21s, yet last week's appearance by Kevin Toner as a second-half substitute suggested he is willing to give them a chance if he feels they are strong enough.

Far from fazing Toner, the experience left him hungry for more.

"It was a dream come true to play for the Villa first team," said the 21-year-old, who spent time on loan with Kidderminster Harriers earlier in the season.

"You work all your life for that kind of moment. To do it at a young age feels like an achievement for me.

"I was just so delighted. It was a crazy feeing – my heart was really pumping when I came on. The phone was really going after the game and everyone I know was thrilled for me to be involved.

"There were comments coming through from loads of people, even lads I played with when I was much younger, which was really nice.

"They were buzzing for me and that was a good feeling, I must admit.

"To be involved once has been great but I will keep working hard to be on the pitch again with the team and, if I am involved, look to contribute positively."

Villa have visited Vicarage Road just twice in the Premier League-era, coming away with a 0-0 draw on their last trip in September 2006.

The other game took place in August 1999, Villa emerging with a 1-0 victory thanks to Mark Delaney, the right-back proving the unlikeliest of match-winners when he bagged one of the two goals he scored for the claret and blues during an eight-year stay.

Watford's 3-2 victory at Villa Park back in November was just their second over Villa in seven attempts.