Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland hopes to show Newcastle United fans today what could have been.

Ireland endured an injury-hit loan spell with Newcastle last season.

He said: "I wasn't getting any games at Villa and I went there hoping to get some but an injury knocked me off my momentum.

"I went there with good intentions and it never happened for me. I was happy with what everyone did up there for me but it was a bit of a waste of time.

"They got me fit and it was unfortunate I couldn't repay them."