A nation's expectancy rests of the shoulders of Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor, James Milner and Craig Gardner as England's U21 side prepare for Friday night's UEFA U21s Championship first leg play-off encounter against Wales at Ninian Park.
The U21s reached the play off stages by topping a very tough group containing the likes of Portugal, Bulgaria, Romania and the Republic Of Ireland, dropping only two points along the way to give themselves a fighting chance to join hosts Sweden in next summer's Finals from 15 to 29 June 2009.
Milner, Gardner and Agbonlahor who have 38, six and 11 caps respectively for Stuart Pearce's side will be looking to add to their appearance haul firstly at Ninian Park on Friday and then in the return leg, where they might get a slightly warmer reception, at Villa Park.
The evening promises to be a very special occasion for both players and supporters alike.
The Villa trio have been pivotal to the success of the team, Milner in particular, even if he was a Newcastle player for most of it!
Villa's record signing is now the most capped England U21 player of all time. He is the team captain and was in lethal goal scoring form in the qualification campaign topping the scoring chart with six of his country's goals.
Whilst Milner obviously takes great pride in achievements at U21 level there is no question that his burning desire lies in forcing himself into the senior reckoning.
With positions on either wing up for grabs on Fabio Capello's team, the Italian could do a lot worse that investing time in the two footed winger and needless to say his club mate Ashley Young, who's prolonged absence from the senior set up continues to leave many a mind boggled.
Agbonlahor to his credit has not been far behind the U21 skipper, netting on no fewer than four occasions.
Initially parterning England senior hero Theo Walcott up front and keeping players of the calibre of Blackburn's Matt Derbyshire and Fraizer Campbell out of the side, it was no surprise that he was called up to the senior squad on a few occasions.
Gardner's versatility has seen him play both in defence and in a midfield high in quality boasting the likes of Tottenham's Tom Huddlestone and West Ham's Mark Noble.
Gardner's selfless attitude, which has on him so many admirers at Villa Park, and not inconsiderable amount of skill is equally appreciated by Pearce.
With confidence high, England will most definitely go into the game as favourites given their recent awesome form and the distinct advantage of playing away form home first. That is not to say Wales will be push overs by any means however.
Welsh senior team manager John Toshack has shown great faith in his crop of young talent, thrusting many underage players into the senior team at every opportunity.
Though the real story form a Villa perspective though comes Tuesday next when Milner, Agbonlahor and Gardner will grace the Villa Park pitch proudly displaying the Three Lions on their chests.
Even if it is only for the U21s, For now at least.