SIR Bobby Robson last night praised his Newcastle side for the way in which they have "pulled their socks up" since the turn of the year.

The Magpies have lost just three games in all competitions in 2004, conceding less than a goal a game along the way.

That run has taken them to the last four of the UEFA Cup and kept them at heart of the battle to secure Champions League football for next season.

That objective would move a giant step closer if Newcastle were able to beat sixth-placed Aston Villa at Villa Park tomorrow and the United boss has been delighted at his squad's efforts since Christmas.

"At the turn of the year we were in the middle of nowhere," said Robson. "But, since then, we've realised that it could have been one of those slippery seasons where we could have finished halfway down the table if we hadn't been careful. But we've pulled our socks up and got back into it.

"You've always got time to recover if you produce your form in the second half of the season. We weren't obliterated in the first half but, at Christmas, we weren't where we wanted to be."

Newcastle's steady improvement has gone hand in hand with an improved disciplinary record that has seen the Magpies incur just 15 bookings in 23 games since December 13.

While other clubs have had to make regular changes because of suspensions, Robson has been able to maintain a settled line-up thanks to his side's new-found resolve.

"The discipline of the players has been outstanding," said Robson. "They've played 12 games in Europe and we're still in an extremely healthy position in terms of the number of yellow cards the players have picked up.

"We've learned how to behave ourselves. I always admired Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest side for the way in which they conducted themselves on the pitch and I think we've been like that this season.

"Our players have been very upright - especially in Europe - and I've been delighted with that."

Tomorrow's game will provide a further test of United's discipline with the Magpies taking on a Villa side whose recent form is bettered by only Arsenal and Chelsea.

A victory would give Newcastle some vital breathing space ahead of next weekend's St James' Park showdown with Chelsea and, while Villa brushed aside the Blues on Easter Monday, Villa Park has proved a happy hunting ground for United in the past.

A 1-0 defeat in 1998 is the only time that the Magpies have lost there in the Premiership, but a win tomorrow would be the club's first away success in the league since the 3-2 win over Fulham on October 21.

"There's no doubt that we haven't been as good away from home this season as we were last year," admitted Robson. "We've played poorly on a couple of occasions and, against Bolton, I thought we paid because we were tired.

"But we've had some extra rest since the PSV game on Wednesday night and I've got no worries on that score for Sunday."

Robson opted to leave midfielder Kieron Dyer on the bench as United booked their place in the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup earlier this week.

But the England international is likely to start on the right of midfield tomorrow after fully recovering from his hamstring problem.

Shola Ameobi (thigh) and Titus Bramble (knee) are nursing minor knocks, but both are expected to be available at Villa Park.

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