From VillaAndLoyal

This is a call to arms for all Villa fans - young and old, big and small, rich and poor, negative and positive: WE NEED YOU!

Everybody is hurting right now. Nobody wanted to see us slide this far and things undoubtedly look grim. But what are our options?

Run away and die? Accept defeat and relegation with 11 games of football still to be played? Or do we, the fans, the lifeblood of this grand old football club, come together as one? Do we become resilient and unmoving in the face of this increasingly desperate situation? As Aston Villa fans, we've always done the latter - through the good days and bad.

Football is a funny old game and this next five days could prove instrumental not just for the rest of this season but for many years to come. Win the next two games of football and we'll be out of the relegation zone and into a Wembley semi-final. We'll have beaten our rivals twice in a week and the whole mood of this football club will have shifted from one end of the spectrum to the other. That's all it will take to change things dramatically: two wins.

Everybody is taking shots at us while we're down. Newcastle fans, Albion fans, Blues fans, Wolves fans. You name it, they're relishing the prospect of us completely and utterly falling apart this week. Do YOU want to give them that satisfaction?

Villa Park can be a noisy fortress on its day. Unfortunately a succession of extremely poor seasons has gradually drained every last ounce of positivity from our pours. We need to forget about that now - put the negativity to one side and focus on being the 12th man. If you're debating about whether to attend either game: please do, your Club needs your support now more than it ever has done before. And for those of you already going: sing and chant until your lungs can't take any more. Back the lads and the manager 100% for 180 minutes this week - whatever the circumstances. Leave your negativity at home and ensure the lion roars.

We are the famous, the mighty Aston Villa. Our past glories mean so many people would love to see us fall. We, as fans, have to play our part in ensuring that does NOT happen. So I ask my Claret & Blue brothers and sisters: spread the word. Tell everyone you know. Encourage every Villa fan you've ever come into contact with to get down to our magnificent stadium tomorrow and Saturday and play your part. It's now or never - we sink and fall or battle back and soar.

WE CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE. MAKE IT COUNT. UTV.

Source: A call to arms