Aston Villa vs Newcastle Preview

• Both teams to score
• Over 3.5 goals

With their UEFA Champions League dream now over following a 5-4 aggregate defeat to PSG, Aston Villa must quickly turn their attention back to domestic matters. Their 3-2 second-leg win on Tuesday proved in vain, and Unai Emery will be desperate for his side to respond positively in this crunch top-five Premier League clash. Just one point separates Villa from fifth-placed Manchester City ahead of the round, meaning a win here could be huge in the race for Champions League football.

The omens are mixed. While Villa have lost five of their last six Premier League meetings with Newcastle (W1), they have won nine of their last ten matches across all competitions (L1). They also boast a 15-game unbeaten home league run (W8, D7), a sequence stretching back to September, albeit with just two clean sheets recorded during that time.

Magpies soaring under temporary guidance

Newcastle come into this clash in scintillating form, having demolished Crystal Palace 5-0 in midweek. That result marked their biggest victory of the season and lifted them five points clear of sixth place. With five straight Premier League wins under their belt, confidence is flowing – and notably, they’ve scored 4+ goals in each of their last two outings, both of which came under the temporary guidance of Jason Tindall, as Eddie Howe recovers from illness.

However, Villa Park has not been a happy hunting ground for the Magpies, with four defeats from their last five Premier League visits (W1). They’re hoping to become the first side since Arsenal in August to win a league match at this venue. Encouragingly, only Liverpool and Arsenal have claimed more Premier League points away from home than Newcastle’s 27 this term.

Tactical snapshot

Villa are likely to stick with the fluid attacking approach that has served them so well under Emery, with players like Leon Bailey and Morgan Rogers providing pace and flair in wide areas. Newcastle, meanwhile, will look to exploit space in behind with their high-pressing, transition-based style. The battle in midfield, particularly between the industrious Tielemans and the hard-running Sean Longstaff, could prove key.

Players to watch

Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa)

The Belgian midfielder enjoys this fixture, having scored a joint-career high three Premier League goals against Newcastle.

His strike against PSG in midweek continued a remarkable trend – 12 of his last 13 club goals have come in the first half.

Jacob Murphy (Newcastle)

A consistent contributor on the road, Murphy has been directly involved in 13 goals across his last 17 Premier League away games (G4, A9), and his deliveries from the right could be crucial.

Hot stat

Aston Villa have scored exactly three goals in four of their last six Premier League home matches.

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Aston Villa v Newcastle, 2024/25 | Premier League