Fans will finally have the chance to forget last season's Moscow debacle when Villa take on Rapid Vienna at Villa Park on Thursday.
The Claret and Blue go into the game against the Austrians one goal down from the first leg and they will need a good performance to reach the Europa League group stages.
But, what is almost important as the result, is the team that manager Martin O'Neill puts out for the crunch encounter.
February 26th is the day on which many feel Villa's 2008/09 campaign ended. An inevitable 2-0 defeat for the second string in Moscow against CSKA not only saw them knocked out of Europe but it also signalled the start of a barren run for O'Neill's men.
They disappointingly slipped out of contention for a top four spot and also failed to finish above Everton who came fifth.
Now, the Northern Irishman has a chance to prove he has learnt from his mistakes. He will surely put a full strength side out against Rapid, a far cry from the young and inexperienced bunch which made the trip to Russia's capital six months ago.
O'Neill will know that his side must progress not just for financial reasons but also to boost the morale of the fans at this early stage of the season.
Should the unthinkable happen, and Villa be knocked out, then
a massive chance of silverware would be gone in a flash.
That would only leave the Carling and F.A. Cup competitions as possible routes to glory and it has to be said that performances in those in recent years will hardly inspire an overflow of confidence.
Villa fans are desperate for a big day out. They really want to be able to say 'We are the best' and so now their side must deliver a first trophy since 1996.
O'Neill is the man charged with giving the faithful something to shout rather than boo about and he now has the opportunity to set the side on their way to glory.
Minnow
Rapid deserve credit for claiming an impressive 1-0 first leg win on their own turf, but they are more than beatable and it has to be said it would be a shock should they progress.
However, all Villans must remember MSK Zilina - an unfancied minnow of world football - who managed to claim a win in the Midlands last season.
The side which they faced may not have been the best Villa had to offer but, to their credit, the Slovakians kept their composure and registered a famous victory.
The Villa faithful will hope that the same cannot be said about Rapid.
With goals needed, O'Neill could recall Emile Heskey in a return to the 4-4-2 formation but, after Monday's superb 3-1 win at Liverpool, he may be tempted to stick with Gabby Agbonlahor as the lone striker in a 4-5-1 setup.
If the Villa boss does choose to bring back Heskey, then it is likely that the England striker will replace Steve Sidwell. Nigel Reo-Coker should keep his place regardless as he was simply superb at Anfield.
And so judgement day awaits for O'Neill. All he can do is send out his best side and that, in truth, should be good enough.
It could have been good enough in Moscow in February but we shall never know. Now all that matters for the Claret and Blue is the progression into this year's group stages.
There is a new name for the competition and a fresh start for O'Neill. It is time for Villa to go all out for victory.