Newcastle United will look to extend their unbeaten run when they face Aston Villa at St. James’ Park on Saturday.
Despite their vast riches and shady ownership regime, the Newcastle United revival has been the feel-good story in the Premier League this year. The euphoria of belated investment and fans getting their club back a year ago has quickly translated into actual success for the Magpies, with Eddie Howe’s side making an astonishing climb from relegation contenders to surprising Champions League challengers in the space of ten months.
A 2-1 statement win away to Tottenham last weekend has made even more naysayers take note of the resurgent Newcastle, who are currently sitting pretty in the Champions League spots as they are turning from draw specialists into a force to be reckoned with.
The Magpies are one of the most entertaining teams to watch this season, and Howe has made them defensively sound while retaining the same attacking verve as his previous Bournemouth sides, albeit with better-quality players. And Newcastle will be keen to build on their momentum when they welcome a buoyed Aston Villa side to St. James’ Park this weekend.
Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery will mark his return to the Premier League with Aston Villa in what is yet another ambitious appointment by the Villa owners. And the former Villarreal boss certainly has a point to prove in English football after being denied the credit that his tactical and managerial talents deserved during his torrid time in charge at Arsenal.
Villa parted company with Steven Gerrard, and the uplift was immediate. They looked like a rejuvenated team as they thrashed Brentford 4-0 at Villa Park last time out. Emery will certainly aim to hit the ground running at Villa Park, with the side lacking consistency this term.
Having said that, Emery will have to wait until he can officially assume charge of his new team. Work permit issues mean that he will formally take over the reins from November 1 onwards, meaning he will only be present in the stands for this weekend’s clash between Aston Villa and Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.
Team News & Tactics
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe on Allan Saint-Maximin's availability:
"There's a chance. We'll see how training goes today. He's made really good progress and I'm very pleased with how he's attacked his rehab & the work he's put in so there's an opportunity to hopefully get him fit and available." pic.twitter.com/g87xtw9BgK
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 28, 2022
Emil Krafth (ACL), Alexander Isak (thigh), Paul Dummett (calf), and Matt Ritchie (calf) have all been sidelined until after the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Allan Saint-Maximin has successfully recovered from a setback to his hamstring problem and could feature against Aston Villa. Youngster Elliot Anderson has also returned to the squad after shaking off a knock.
Jonjo Shelvey made his season debut against Tottenham last weekend and is now available for selection. Otherwise, Eddie Howe has no fresh injury concerns except a few bumps and bruises off the back of three games on the bounce last week.
Howe played an interesting version of the 4-3-3 system against Tottenham. Joelinton started as the left-sided winger to contain Spurs’ wing-backs pushing up the pitch thanks to Brazilian tactical fluidity between midfield and winger roles.
That will change against Aston Villa, with Jacob Murphy probably returning to the starting XI as Newcastle look to stretch Villa at home. Joe Willock may drop to the bench in the process. Aside from that, there are no changes expected in the starting XI that took to the field against Tottenham.
Nick Pope remains an assured and commanding presence between the sticks for Newcastle. A formidable back-four of Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, and Dan Burn will likely protect the Englishman.
They are all critical to their system; Trippier is heavily involved in wing-play and corner routines, Schar and Botman have the technical ability to play long balls over the top, or line-breaking passes, while Burn dominates the air.
Up ahead in midfield, Bruno Guimaraes will be anchoring the three-man unit alongside the tenacious Sean Longstaff and man-mountain Joelinton. The Brazilian will look to make powerful runs from midfield and provide overlaps and underlaps with Burn, a more reserved, steady presence at left-back.
Miguel Almiron is currently in electric form, scoring five goals across his last five league appearances. He will look to continue the red-hot scoring streak from the right. Meanwhile, Wilson’s excellent form has propelled him into contention for a plane ticket to the World Cup with England.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Wilson, Murphy
Aston Villa
Boubacar Kamara has made significant progress in his rehabilitation from a knee injury. While he will not travel to Newcastle, Kamara is set to return to training and could make an appearance against Manchester United next weekend.
Lucas Digne is back fit and ready to return after nursing an ankle injury that kept him out for at least five weeks. Ludwig Augustinsson is nearing a return from a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Diego Carlos (Achilles) and Jed Steer (Achilles) are definitely out for Aston Villa.
Luc who's back. 🙌 @LucasDigne pic.twitter.com/9SIJFbkt80
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) October 28, 2022
Interim head coach Aaron Danks will assume managerial duties of the Villans one last time, with Unai Emery set to take charge from the next game onwards. The 37-year-old will continue with the 4-2-3-1 formation he utilised against Brentford and will likely retain most of the starting XI.
Emiliano Martinez is an automatic pick for the goalkeeping slot, with Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa forming the central defensive partnership. Matty Cash and the returning Digne will flank the two centre-backs. The French left-back will add another dimension with set-pieces and quality balls into the box to feed the strikers.
Douglas Luiz will reprise his No.6 role in midfield in the Aston Villa eleven, trying to dictate the tempo of the game against Newcastle. Leander Dendoncker will join the Brazilian in the Villa engine room.
The visitors’ frontline played with more freedom and prowess than they ever did under Steven Gerrard against Brentford last time out. Danny Ings will get the responsibility of spearheading Villa’s attack down.
The attacking triumvirate of Ollie Watkins, Emiliano Buendia, and Leon Bailey are set to retain their starting spots behind the veteran poacher as they look to produce chances as well as fancy shots on goal. Watkins, for one, will be the key to the front-foot press and will work the channels as well.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Dendoncker, Luiz; Watkins, Buendia, Bailey; Ings
Key Stats
- Newcastle are undefeated in their last 13 home matches against Aston Villa in all competitions (W7 D6).
- Newcastle are currently unbeaten in their last seven home league matches.
- Aston Villa have failed to win their last seven Premier League matches on the road (D2 L5).
- Having defeated Brentford last time out, the visitors are looking to secure back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since May this year, but have a woeful record against sides starting the day in the top four (P12 L11 D1).
- The Magpies have earned more points than any other Premier League side in the month of October (13 – W4 D1).
Player to Watch
Miguel Almiron
While Almiron’s attitude and commitment to the cause were unquestionable, his end product was more often than not lacking in the final third. That was until Jack Grealish’s shameful mocking during Manchester City’s title celebrations.
Since then, the Paraguayan speedster has been in sensational form in front of goal, firing six goals in 12 Premier League appearances this season. Not only has Almiron rediscovered his scoring boots, he is also netting some belters, goal-of-the-season contenders every single week. Most importantly, he is scoring critical goals and has netted the match-winner in back-to-back games.
There was talk of Newcastle potentially signing a new right-winger during the summer. Now, that new signing will have to work his socks off to take the starting position from Almiron thanks to his relentless press, and selfless defensive attitude. To achieve the unexpected, Newcastle need Almiron to be firing on all cylinders throughout the season to make their attack a double-edged sword when Saint-Maximin comes back into the team.
Prediction
Newcastle United 2-0 Aston Villa
Aston Villa triumphed 4-0 following the sacking of Steven Gerrard, scoring three goals in the opening 15 minutes to basically put the game against Brentford to bed. They will be buoyed by their free-scoring display last weekend now that the shackles are off.
However, Villa have to make a difficult trip to Tyneside, and not a lot of teams have come away with a result from the raucous and vibrant St. James’ Park. Newcastle do not boast the best defensive record for no reason; their whole backline is filled with technically brilliant defenders who love to defend and pride themselves on clean sheets.
Newcastle’s tenacity and endurance should be enough to see them overcome Villa in what could be a tight game. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for Eddie Howe’s charges on Saturday.