Kevin Phillips has scored enough goals against Newcastle United over the years to know that he can expect a rough ride from the visiting Toon Army fans at Villa Park tomorrow.

But at least the Aston Villa striker is guaranteed an amicable reception from one figure in the Newcastle ranks - caretaker manager Glenn Roeder.

Roeder was the man who launched Phillips' career in professional football when he signed him for Watford from non-League Baldock Town for just £10,000 in December 1994.

And, although sentiment will be forgotten tomorrow afternoon, Phillips admits that he will forever be in Roeder's debt.

Phillips' nostalgic reunion with his first manager against a Newcastle side still coming to terms with last week's sacking of Graeme Souness, just adds extra spice to tomorrow's pot. And, assuming last week's four-goal pairing of Phillips and Luke Moore continues, he cannot wait to get stuck in, especially after missing Villa's 1-1 draw on Tyneside in December.

"It's always tough coming up against a team who've just lost their manager," said Phillips. "And, although they haven't appointed yet, they'll still want to impress Glenn Roeder.

"I'm sure I'll be in for the usual stick I get from their supporters whenever I play Newcastle.

"But I know Glenn very well from my days at Watford and I know he'll have the team fired up too. I've got a very high opinion of him.

"I owe my career to Glenn really, because he's the one who took the chance on me by taking me from non-League football. And, barring the 90 minutes on Saturday, I wish him all the best.

"I last spoke to him about a year ago, but I'm pleased he's come through what he's had to contend with as he's had it tough.

"He went through it at West Ham, and then he had his health problems, but he came through them great. In fact, he's no different to Graeme Souness. He had his health problems too.

"But the pressures and the threat of losing your job come with the territory in this game. Everyone knows it's a results driven industry and, if you're not producing, you're at risk of losing your job."

While Phillips shows the sort of compassion for his fellow pros that sometimes seems rare in the modern game, it's the mark of a man who is the perfect team player.

It said everything about his typically unselfish performance at the Riverside last weekend that he was the choice of most pundits as man of the match, even though, in Moore, Villa had a hat-trick hero on the park.

And, with Milan Baros ready to return after injury tomorrow, Phillips is also aware that, unthinkable it might appear to the Villa fans, neither he nor Moore are automatic selection tomorrow.

"If you ask the manager, it's a nice decision for him," said Phillips, with a grin. "He's got four fit available strikers to choose from who can all do a job in the Premiership.

"I'm hoping I keep my place just as Luke's hoping he keeps his. But it's the sort of competition for places that keeps everyone on their toes - and that's the way it should be.

"Luke had a fantastic all-round game last weekend and scored three great goals. And it was nice for me to be held in such high esteem when there's another player on the pitch who's scored a hat-trick.

"It has been frustrating this season being in and out of the team but I'm now hoping my ankle injury's sorted and that I can now get a run of games under my belt.

"I said at the beginning of season that this was a fantastic move for me.

"Part of me says I perhaps should have come to Villa when I first had the chance, when I left Sunderland.

"But, then again, maybe I should have left Sunderland sooner then I did. Hindsight's a wonderful thing. The most important thing is I'm here now and I feel fit and strong."