Saturday’s Premier League action kicks off at Villa Park as Aston Villa and Newcastle United lock horns, looking to continue their impressive run of form at the expense of the other.
Unai Emery’s Villans furthered their European ambitions with a comfortable 2-0 success over Nottingham Forest, taking them up to the Europa Conference League spot.
However, they will come up against Eddie Howe’s rampant Magpies, who will be looking to consolidate their place in the top four following a 2-1 win over Brentford last time out.
Match Preview
Since Emery’s arrival at Villa Park, his team has become a force to be reckoned with, and their four-match winning streak tells the tale of a side brimming with confidence.
While Forest proved hard to break down in the first half, it didn’t take long for Villa to crack their code as Bertrand Traore fired them into the lead three minutes after the interval.
The in-form Ollie Watkins once again delivered for the Villans, showing his unwavering confidence as he lobbed Keylor Navas to put the result beyond doubt deep into stoppage time.
Having won their last four games in a row, the Villans will be keen to make it five from five for the first time in the top flight since April 1998 under John Gregory.
With their 4-0 humiliation at St James’ Park earlier in the season still fresh in their minds, the Villa players will be keen to right the wrongs of the reverse fixture under Steven Gerrard.
Their record under Emery should gear them enough to wage war against the Magpies as only Arsenal have picked up more points (42) and earned more wins (13) in the competition than the Villans (35 points, 11 wins) since the Spaniard’s first league game in charge.
They have also won all three of their home games against Newcastle by the same scoreline (2-0) since their return to the top flight in 2019, so everything points to another routine outing on home turf.
However, they have lost their last two league games against Howe’s side, who will be eyeing a league double over the Villans for the first time since the 2013/14 campaign under Alan Pardew.
Undeterred by Ivan Toney’s first-half penalty, Newcastle scored twice in seven minutes through a David Raya own goal and Alexander Isak to make it five wins in a row.
Howe’s side have put a troubled February-early March period behind them, but keeping their foot on the gas is not optional with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur breathing down their neck.
The Magpies are level on points with Man United and just three above Spurs, so a slip-up at this crucial stage of the season could have untold consequences for their Champions League ambitions.
The Villans will undoubtedly prove a tough nut to crack, but three of Newcastle’s last five wins have come away from home.
Only in October 1996 (four) and October 1994 (five) have the Magpies ever won four or more consecutive away games in the competition.
Isak has been in fine form for Howe’s side, scoring in each of Newcastle’s last three league games on their travels (four goals).
Only Peter Beardsley in December 1993 has ever scored in four consecutive away appearances in the competition for the Magpies.
Premier League form
Aston Villa: DWWWW
Newcastle United: WWWWW
Team News
Leon Bailey was forced to withdraw due to a hamstring injury just 28 minutes into the Forest clash. He will sit out Saturday’s encounter, along with Philippe Coutinho and Boubacar Kamara.
Matty Cash (calf) also remains unavailable for the hosts, so the vastly experienced Ashley Young will keep his place at right-back.
Allan Saint-Maximin will be unavailable for the Magpies as he faces up to six weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring problem, joining long-term absentee Emil Krafth on the injury list.
However, Miguel Almiron could return from a thigh problem which comes as a boost to Newcastle, while Bruno Guimaraes should be at the thick of things again despite nursing an ankle issue.
Isak, who will be looking to ripple the net in his fourth consecutive game, should also keep his place in the starting line-up ahead of Callum Wilson.
Aston Villa potential starting line-up:
(4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez; Ashley Young, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Alex Moreno; John McGinn, Douglas Luiz; Bertrand Traore, Emiliano Buendia, Jacob Ramsey; Ollie Watkins.
Newcastle United potential starting line-up:
(4-3-3): Nick Pope; Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, Dan Burn; Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Joe Willock; Joelinton, Alexander Isak, Jacob Murphy.
How to Watch?
Villa vs Newcastle, alongside all other fixtures in England’s top flight, is available to watch online via live Premier League streams.
We Say: Aston Villa 1-2 Newcastle United
Despite the enormous point gap and their respective places in the Premier League standings, both sides are evenly matched and are poised to deliver a thrilling contest.
Villa have scored at least once in all 17 of their league games under Emery (30 goals overall) and will expect to continue that impressive scoring streak – especially against a Newcastle side that has managed just one clean sheet in their last ten games.
However, Howe’s side should continue their hunt for a Champions League place with another win, putting a dent in Villa’s impressive form.
