AT the third time of asking Middlesbrough are hoping to finally put their hands on the FA Youth Cup next week.

Having faced defeats in 1990 and 2003, Boro make the trip to Aston Villa in the first leg of this season's final at Villa Park tonight (kick-off 8.05pm).

The Teessiders are hoping to gain the upperhand ahead of the return leg at the Riverside on Monday when they are hoping to lay to rest the ghost of losing to Manchester United in last year's climax.

Academy coach Mark Proctor, joint manager with Dave Parnaby, will take his glory-chasers to the Midlands this morning.

After having pasta for lunch, the players will spend the afternoon getting some rest in their hotel rooms before having tea and toast a few hours before the game.

It is a pre-match ritual which Steve McClaren's men use and Proctor is hoping it will help his squad claim the club's second trophy triumph in three months - following the Carling Cup success in February.

But the former Boro midfielder has warned his young guns - 11 of which were in the final squad last season - to beware the threat of Aston Villa who won the Youth Cup as recently as two years ago.

"It's a great achievement for this club to be in two finals in two successive years," said Proctor, whose side beat Crewe in the semi-finals. "This time there is a little more pressure on us because everyone knows that we have the experience of last year.

"The players are a little more aware this time of what will be needed. They are also another year down the line in their development and that should help.

"I don't think you can put us down as favourites. We are better for being there last season, there's no doubting that, but Aston Villa are a good side and I don't think we can consider ourselves favourites."

Boro will include defender Matthew Bates and midfielder Andrew Taylor in the starting line-up against the Villans and both have been included in first team squads this season.

The pair are not the first players to have risen through the ranks from Academy level to be in contention for a place in McClaren's squad.

Proctor believes that all of the youth team can take heart from the fact that a chance to shine in the Premiership will come calling if they continue to make good progress.

"The players in this squad should take great encouragement from the likes of Stuart Parnaby, Stewart Downing and Andrew Davies all being involved with the first team squad," said Proctor, who had Davies as his skipper in last year's final.

"It bodes well for the future and if we can win it then that would be great for this club. But our aim is not just to get that trophy, it is to get as many players from the youth team into the first team and follow those players' path. If they are good enough then they're old enough."

Villa, managed by former Boro defender Tony McAndrew, had to overcome Wayne Rooney's Everton in 2002 to claim the FA Youth Cup.

And Proctor said: "They have got good pedigree in the competition and we know they will be a tough side. Let's face it it's a final after all.

"Last season we were perhaps a little behind Manchester United in terms of experience but I think that both clubs this year are in the same league."

Boro: Knight; McMahon, Bates, Wheater, Masters; Liddle, Kennedy, Taylor; Morrison, Craddock, Peacock. Subs: Pennock, Reed, Hines, Johnson, Cattermole.

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