Euro so perfect

10 WINS IN A ROW AFTER EUROPEAN TIES... BUT CAN VILLA KEEP IT UP?

- By JOHN TOWNLEY

IT has largely gone under the radar just how well Aston Villa have balanced their domestic and European commitments over this calendar year.

During the first half of the last campaign, Villa struggled to juggle Champions League football with the demands of the Premier League, but that changed markedly after the winter transfer window closed.

Remarkably, Villa have now won all 10 matches they've played following a midweek European fixture since the end of last season's winter window.

A disappointing defeat at Wolves came after their 4-2 Champions League victory over Celtic in the league phase, but from that point on, Villa responded superbly. Victories against Brentford (A), Preston (A), Southampton (A) and Newcastle United (H) followed Champions League knockout ties against Club Brugge and Paris Saint-Germain.

This season, Villa have continued that trend, winning after all six of their Europa League league-phase matches so far. Those victories have come against Fulham, Burnley, Manchester City, Bournemouth, Wolves and, most recently, West Ham.

That record will face its sternest test next month, when Villa travel to Newcastle's St James' Park following a trip to Turkey to face Fenerbahce. Villa have not won on Tyneside since 2005.