RAFAEL BENITEZ has warned his Newcastle United players against the dangers of complacency as they prepare to take on an Aston Villa side who have suffered 11 successive defeats.

Having hauled themselves out of the bottom three as they beat Crystal Palace last weekend, Newcastle will attempt to put some more space between themselves and their relegation rivals when they travel to Villa Park tomorrow.

Villa’s relegation was confirmed in the middle of last month, and with the home fans planning a series of protests to tie with tomorrow’s game, things look to have fallen in Newcastle’s favour as they attempt to ensure they head into their final game against Tottenham in 17th position.

However, with the Magpies not having claimed an away victory since they won at Spurs in the middle of December, Benitez will be urging his players not to take anything for granted.

“It’s important to get this message across – no complacency, concentrate,” said the Newcastle boss. “We have seen the last games of Aston Villa, and they did well against Watford, they did really well.

“We play against Spurs in the final game, but the next one is the most important one because win this and we can approach it (the Spurs game) with the fans behind us and it will be easier to keep everyone on their toes and motivated. For this game, we need to be sure that we are focused and we can’t lose our concentration.

“We can’t change what the other teams will do. The only thing we can do is concentrate on our games. Every game, if we get points or they do, it will put you under pressure. But we just have to try to win the next two games.

“I won’t do the maths, I will just concentrate on getting three points against Aston Villa – and that’s it.”

Last weekend’s victory made it four games unbeaten, and Benitez has noticed a marked change in the attitude of his players over the last few weeks.

“The mood is very positive now,” he said. “The players are happy and training well, like to be fair they have since I have been here. Everyone has the right mentality to get the right result against Aston Villa in what will be a difficult game.

“Winning always makes a difference. The players have more confidence to do things, you can see that. They are doing better, they believe that we can do well, that’s the key and they see it’s the right way to move forward.”

Daryl Janmaat is back in the squad after recovering from the hand injury he sustained when he punched a dressing-room door following the 3-1 defeat at Southampton.

The Dutchman has been training with a protective cast, and Benitez must decide whether to restore him to the starting XI or stick with Vurnon Anita, who has proved an able deputy in recent weeks.

Skipper Fabricio Coloccini is once again unavailable and is unlikely to play again this season.