Bobby Robson yesterday revealed how he helped keep John Gregory in a job at Aston Villa 12 months ago.

Robson takes Newcastle back to Villa Park today exactly a year after a 1-0 win by the Geordies dumped Gregory right in it.

The Villa boss's position looked wobbly when a form slump dropped his club to 15th in the Premiership and sparked speculation that chairman Doug Ellis was ready to swing the axe.

But Robson took Deadly Doug aside after the match and urged him not to do anything silly.

His advice paid off as the Midlands club staged a dramatic recovery, losing only one of their next 12 Premiership games to finish sixth and reach the FA Cup final.

Robson recalled: "I remember Doug was a bit pessimistic after our game there last season. John was under pressure and there was a lot of speculation flying about.

"But I know Doug and I pulled him aside and said to him 'stay tight and don't panic. Things will turn.'

"John played for me when I was England manager and I knew his qualities.

"I knew he could do the job and I'm pleased that it turned out so well. It shows how football is.

"I spent six years in the Midlands with West Brom and we used to be at Villa like cat and dog. I lived three miles from Villa Park and I know them very well."

Gregory hasn't forgotten Robson's act of kindness and he admitted: "I owe Bobby a lot for that. He's an amazing fellow and he gave me a lot of advice, which has stood me in good stead."

That sort of sentiment won't count for much today as the Geordies bid to bounce back from the shock of their midweek Worthington Cup exit at Birmingham.

Robson was furious at the way his team conceded two goals from set pieces at St Andrews and rapped: "It's time to show we can be a really top Premiership team.

"In our last away match at Leicester we were tough and got a point, but we weren't so tough on Wednesday night and we lost. I don't want a repeat of that.

"We gave away two goals from corners and Villa have Dion Dublin, Gareth Southgate and Alpay, who are all good in those situations. We have to handle them."

On the credit side Newcastle have lost only once in seven Premiership visits to Villa Park, and Alan Shearer is hoping it again proves a lucky ground.

Shearer is expected to lead from the front as usual, but Robson must decide how long he can expect his former England skipper to play through the pain barrier.

Shearer hasn't missed a game for Robson in 15 months and he'll be patched up again, despite suffering back and hamstring problems.

Robson revealed: "I'll have to talk to Alan. I could rest him because Lomana Lualua is available after being cup-tied and Daniel Cordone did well when he came on at Birmingham.

"But Alan is Alan. He just wants to play, and play and play."

Shay Given will return in place of Steve Harper and Clarence Acuna could also win a recall in place of injury doubt Christian Bassedas. Otherwise Robson is likely to stick with the team that disappointed in midweek, offering Warren Barton the chance to put the lid on former Newcastle star David Ginola.

Barton said: "It's a big game for David but it's also a big game for us. If we beat them we move above them in the table and that's all the incentive we need. We've let the fans down and we've got to bounce back."

Newcastle have renewed their interest in PSV Eindhoven's central defender Ernest Faber, according to reports in Holland.

The 29-year-old, who has a reputation with opposition strikers as an uncompromising tackler, was originally targeted last year.

But injury ruled Faber out of PSV's successful title campaign around Christmas and he returned to first-team action less than a month ago.

Former Newcastle winger Keith Gillespie has joined Division Two hopefuls Wigan on a month's loan from Blackburn.

l Jim Jefferies is confident that he can turn Bradford's fortunes around if he is given time.

The former Hearts boss took charge at Valley Parade two weeks ago, inheriting a side which had not won in the Premiership for three months and had taken just one point from a possible 18.

However, after guiding the Bantams to a hard-fought draw at fellow strugglers Middlesbrough last Saturday, Jefferies feels he has something to build on as City prepare for another relegation six-pointer against Coventry.

''I think the fans know that I can't change it in the week-and-a-half that I have been here,'' he said.

''But we got a point away from home last week. That is something to build on and, if we get another good result it will give us a lift.

''It won't get us out of trouble, but it would be a start.