Aston Villa and Newcastle United will aim to continue their excellent runs of form in the Premier League when they face off at Villa Park on Saturday.
Aston Villa are still pushing for European qualification, and they cannot afford any slip-ups at this stage of the season ahead of the game vs Newcastle United. The hosts are in impressive form right now, and they are coming into this game on the back of a morale-boosting victory over PSG.
The West Midlands outfit have picked up five wins from the last six league games, and they will be full of confidence. Meanwhile, Newcastle United are in sensational form as well, amassing six wins on the bounce. The Magpies are ranked third in the league table, and they will look to secure Champions League qualification for the next season.
The Tyneside outfit cannot afford to drop points, especially with clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City breathing down their necks. The visitors will be desperate for a win here, and it will be interesting to see if they can continue their impressive run of form. This is likely to be a cracking contest between two very good teams.
Team News & Tactics
Aston Villa
Unai Emery a fully fit squad to choose from ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Aston Villa will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Newcastle United, with Emiliano Martinez in goal.
Matty Cash and Lucas Digne will start as the full-backs. They will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Ezri Konsa will form the central defensive partnership alongside Axel Disasi.
As for the midfield unit, John McGinn and Youri Tielemans will look to add control and drive from the middle of the park. Leon Bailey and Marcus Rashford will add pace, flair and creativity from the wide areas. Meanwhile, Morgan Rogers will start as the attacking midfielder, and he will look to create goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates. Ollie Watkins will lead the line for Aston Villa vs Newcastle United on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Disasi, Digne; McGinn, Tielemans; Bailey, Rogers, Rashford; Watkins
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe will be without Jamaal Lascelles due to a knee injury, Sven Botman due to a knee injury, and Lewis Hall due to an ankle injury. Newcastle United will shape up in a 4-3-3 formation vs Aston Villa, with Nick Pope in goal.
Valentino Livramento and Matt Targett will start as the full-backs. They will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Dan Burn will pair up with Fabian Schar at the heart of the defence.
Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, and Sean Longstaff will start in the middle of the park. They will look to win the ball back for their side and add control to the proceedings. Alexander Isak will spearhead the Newcastle United attack vs Aston Villa, with Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Burn, Schar, Targett; Tonali, Guimaraes, Longstaff; Murphy, Isak, Barnes
Key Stats
- Newcastle United have scored at least three goals in their last four matches against Aston Villa in all competitions.
- Newcastle United have won their last five matches in the Premier League.
- 26 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two teams.
- Newcastle are unbeaten in five of the last six matches against Aston Villa.
- Aston Villa have won five of the last six matches in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Alexander Isak
The Swedish international has been the best striker in the Premier League this season, and he will look to continue his impressive run of form. He will look to help his side secure UEFA Champions League qualification for the next season.
The Swede has been scoring goals consistently, and he has helped create opportunities for his teammates as well. He could cause all sorts of problems for the Aston Villa defence with his movement, finishing ability, flair and agility. Aston Villa will have to stop Isak if they want to win the game. Newcastle United will be dependent on him to make a defining impact in the final third.
Prediction
Aston Villa 1-1 Newcastle United
Both teams will be desperate for a victory here, and this is likely to be a close contest. Neither side are defensive in their approach and there will be a fair few chances for either side. Both teams are likely to get on the score sheet here, but they are likely to cancel each other out. They will share the spoils in a goalscoring draw.
