Stuart Pearce reveals his principal aims ahead of his side's Play-Off second leg at Villa Park.
England v Wales
2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Play-Off Second Leg
7.45pm, Tuesday 14 October 2008
Villa Park, Aston Villa FC
Live on Setanta
Tickets will be available at Villa Park on the night from 6.15pm. Cash bookings only, £10 for adults and £5 for U16s and over 65s.
England Under-21 Head Coach Stuart Pearce is relishing the prospect of facing Wales for the second time in five days, as his side attempt to qualify for the 2009 European Championship in Sweden, taking a 3-2 lead into the Play-Off second leg at Villa Park.
With Craig Gardner the only injury doubt ahead of the tie, Pearce welcomes back Middlesbrough's Andrew Taylor after he missed the first leg in Cardiff through suspension and insists every member of his squad is aiming to entertain the Midlands crowd and record an all-important victory over their Welsh counterparts.
"There will be a good atmosphere [at Villa Park]," Pearce predicted. "Everyone in the England camp is looking forward to the game and we want to put on a good show on home soil. We're fiercely proud of our current record and we want to maintain that with a win on Tuesday."
This match at Villa Park is the latest in a long line of Under-21 matches to be staged in the Midlands area, with previous sold-out fixtures being held at the Walkers Stadium, Pride Park and the Ricoh Arena and Pearce believes this stems from the success his team has enjoyed of late.
"Under-21 football is very well supported at the moment, particularly [in the Midlands area. Fans] look at the squad and the spirit in the camp and that resounds around the country.
"The crowd will be absolutely vital [on Tuesday] and it's up to the players to use the crowd to their advantage. I've always been a believer that the players themselves set the fans up and can turn their mentality into a very positive one."
Having conceded twice on Friday evening at Ninian Park, Pearce admits his charges gifted Wales their two goals and is certain they can improve against Brian Flynn's talented side.
Simon Church scored both goals for the Welsh, with David Wheater, Adam Johnson and Gabriel Agbonlahor getting on the scoresheet for England and although a draw at Villa Park would see England through, Pearce is clear about one thing; he wants a win.
"We've done our homework on Wales and we know what a good side they are. They pressed us on Friday, but they didn't surprise us. [Ninian Park] is not an easy place to go and win a game, but we won 3-2. We know it's going to be difficult, but we feel that we can play better.
"It's a big game for English and Welsh football. I want to win the game, my players want to win the game and we've got players good enough to do that."
With Agbonlahor, Wheater, Theo Wacott, Tom Huddlestone and Joe Hart recently enjoying a call-up to Fabio Capello's Senior squad, should England progress to next summer's European Championship, Pearce firmly believes that participation in a major tournament can only help with his players' progression into the Senior set-up in the months and years to come.
"I hope after the game on Tuesday night some of my squad will get the opportunity to step up to the Seniors and get some experience there. You won't get a 'give me' to get into the Senior squad, but if they've done well at Under-21 level and their club form's good, then there's no doubt [Fabio Capello] will include them.
"Although we do feed players into the Senior team, we want to be successful at Under-21 level and if these players can win a trophy it can only give them a lift when they step up to the Seniors."