They had already done it of course since qualifying for the FA Cup final much to the chagrin of the League authorities and their fellow clubs but Newcastle took liberties with their team selection for the trip to Villa Park that the side presented bore no relation to their first XI.

Quite why few could fathom with week long interludes between games, yes success was elusive for the north easterners in comparison to other clubs, not least Villa, but their approach was met with universal disdain.

Unsurprisingly Villa made short work of the reserve side going on to record their biggest win of the season thanks to a Billy Walker hat-trick.

Villa make it seventeen wins, thirteen draws and eleven defeats in forty one division one games. 

Ahead of the weekend's showpiece however Villa learnt nothing about their FA Cup final opponents.