Dan Burn has warned his Newcastle United not to look too far ahead and that it is too early to start thinking about Champions League qualification permutations.
Instead, Burn - one of Eddie Howe's dressing room leaders - has demanded focus on nothing but Aston Villa next Saturday lunchtime. The Geordie defender knows how tough it will be against Unai Emery's side with Villa unbeaten in seven matches and on a run of four straight victories in the Premier League.
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Burn said: "I try not to look at the table too much. "You’re always going to do it.
"We didn’t have targets like this at the start of the season (Champions League) and I know it’s a cliche but we’re just taking it game by game. "We’re not looking too far ahead."
A win at Villa Park next weekend will keep the pressure firmly on Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. But Burn is wary of an improving Villa team compared to the one Newcastle thrashed 4-0 back in November.
He said: "Really tough game. "Villa’s always a tough place to go and Emery’s done very well.
"They’ll be full of confidence. "They’ll be up for it but yeah, we’ll have a good rest and prepare."
There will be 3,000 fans at Villa Park from Tyneside on Saturday and Burn knows how important they will be. Even when Newcastle were second best at Brentford in the first half there was nothing but encouragement from the travelling fans.
Burn said: "They always are behind us. "Best fans in the league.
"Especially when we travel but it’s just trying to repay them. "They get up and down the country no matter what."
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