Moussa Sissoko says the added responsibility of the Newcastle captaincy has brought the best out of him in the fight to avoid Premier League relegation.

Rafael Benitez's side have gone unbeaten in the four games since the France midfielder was handed the armband in the wake of Jonjo Shelvey losing the role after being dropped.

A tally of eight points from those matches has provided renewed hope that Newcastle can stave off a second relegation in seven seasons ahead of Saturday's crucial trip to already demoted Aston Villa.

Newcastle climbed out of the bottom three for the first time in almost two months thanks to a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace last weekend and currently hold a one point lead over Sunderland and two on second bottom Norwich as the trio fight to avoid the two remaining relegation places.

Sissoko has often been criticised by supporters for a perceived lack of effort since joining from Toulouse in 2013.

But the 26-year-old, who scored his first goal of the season as skipper against Swansea last month, is relishing the new role given to him by Benitez, one which he will hold for the final two matches with club captain Fabricio Coloccini ruled out for the remainder of the season with a calf problem.

"You can ask anyone, if a player has the armband he will be happy because it means a lot," Sissoko said.

"It also means that the manager believes in you and that gives you a lot of confidence. I'm very proud to be captain of this team.

"I'm lucky that since I've been captain we've won some games, that's good for me and for the team.

"When you have the armband you have more responsibility in the team, so I know that I'm an important player and I need to give everything."

Anything less than victory at Villa Park will leave Newcastle's top-flight future hanging by a thread, as Sunderland and Norwich both enjoy a game in hand in the final week of the campaign.

Sissoko is confident they can build on the feel-good factor instilled by Benitez, who has slowly turned round the club's fortunes after accepting a 10-game rescue mission when replacing former England head coach Steve McClaren in March.

"Now we are in a good moment so we need to keep going until the end," Sissoko said.

Newcastle host Tottenham on the final day of the season and Sissoko added: "We have two games left, and it won't be easy but the most important thing is for us to win games and stay in the Premier League.

"We've had a difficult season, but at the end if we stay up it will be a massive thing for us.

"We will fight until the end, and I am sure we will do it."

French midfielders Gabriel Obertan and Sylvain Marveaux won't be part of the conclusion to Newcastle's survival bid after the club cancelled their contracts.

The pair, who have had their chances at St James' Park curtailed by injury, were both due to see their deals expire in the close-season.

Meanwhile, Villa, who were relegated officially two weeks ago, are braced for another hostile reception and more protests from angry supporters at their final home game of a dismal season.

Young defender Kevin Toner made his first senior start at Watford last week, and he has revealed how a chance meeting with club legend Paul McGrath inspired the academy stars who provide a glimmer of hope for the future.

"We were training a couple of months ago and all of a sudden Paul McGrath walked over and started chatting to Sid on the side of the pitch," he said.

"That was a massive thing for me. I know he's a Villa legend, a football legend - but he's Irish like me too so it meant even more to see him at Bodymoor Heath."