Premier League Pick and Preview: Aston Villa vs Newcastle United
Aston Villa welcome Newcastle United to Villa Park on Saturday evening in what promises to be a high-stakes Premier League showdown. Both sides continue their push to finish the season inside the coveted Champions League places.
Villa Look to Bounce Back from European Heartbreak
Still reeling from their dramatic Champions League exit, Aston Villa must quickly regroup. They need to shift focus back to the Premier League and aim to keep their top-five hopes alive.
Unai Emery’s side poured everything into their midweek battle with Paris Saint-Germain. They clawed back from two goals down to lead 3-2 on the night but fell just short of a historic semi-final berth. The final whistle marked a gut-wrenching 5-4 aggregate defeat. The frustration was evident as Emery stormed down the tunnel, visibly fuming despite his team’s valiant effort.
Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, and Ezri Konsa struck back impressively after early PSG goals from Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes. However, the brilliance of Gianluigi Donnarumma ultimately kept Villa from notching the all-important fourth. Still, the Villa faithful showed their appreciation, applauding a spirited performance that deserved more.
Now, the seventh-placed Villans turn their focus to the domestic stage. A fifth consecutive Premier League win would keep them firmly in the hunt for a top-five finish. They are level on points with Chelsea, separated only by goal difference. They trail Manchester City – who currently occupy the final Champions League qualification spot – by just a single point.
Their home form remains formidable. Tuesday’s dramatic 3-2 triumph over PSG marked Villa’s fifth straight win at Villa Park. It also extended their unbeaten home streak to an impressive 18 matches in all competitions. Remarkably, they’ve only managed four clean sheets during that period. This is proof of both their attacking prowess and defensive vulnerability.
There’s positive news for Unai Emery on the injury front. Winger Leon Bailey was back on the bench against PSG, meaning Aston Villa currently boasts a fully fit squad. This is a rarity in the Premier League this season. Emery is expected to reinstate top scorer Ollie Watkins to the starting XI after resting him midweek. Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford may also return to the lineup despite being substituted early on Tuesday.
Jacob Ramsey and Marco Asensio will be pushing for inclusion. However, Asensio’s recent penalty misses and wasteful finishing against PSG may work against him.
Newcastle Riding High After Another Ruthless Display
Newcastle United arrive in the West Midlands full of confidence. They dismantled Crystal Palace 5-0 in midweek. Despite manager Eddie Howe’s absence, assistant Jason Tindall masterminded a clinical display. Goals came from Alexander Isak, Jacob Murphy, Harvey Barnes, Fabian Schär, and an unfortunate own goal by Marc Guéhi.
That emphatic victory was Newcastle’s sixth win on the bounce across all competitions. It propelled them to third place in the Premier League. Though a late-season title charge seems unlikely – with the Magpies four points behind Arsenal and needing Liverpool to falter drastically – they are still within reach of a coveted top-four finish. This would see a return to the Champions League.
Newcastle have been impressive on the road, with eight away wins already this season. They could match their best-ever Premier League away record (nine wins in 2001–02) if they triumph on Saturday. History suggests they might – Newcastle have won each of their last three league meetings with Aston Villa. They have scored at least three goals in every match.
Newcastle also have no fresh injury concerns heading into Saturday’s clash. Only Sven Botman (knee), Jamaal Lascelles (knee), and Lewis Hall (foot) remain sidelined. With a full week before their next fixture against Ipswich Town, Tindall is unlikely to rotate a winning team. Harvey Barnes is expected to keep Anthony Gordon out of the starting XI again. Meanwhile, Jacob Murphy looks to continue his outstanding away form, contributing 13 goal involvements (4 goals, 9 assists) in his last 17 Premier League away games.
Possible Starting Lineups of Aston Villa and Newcastle United
Aston Villa: Emiliano Martínez – Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Axel Disasi, Ian Maatsen – Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans – Morgan Rogers, John McGinn, Marcus Rashford – Ollie Watkins. (4-2-3-1)
Newcastle United: Nick Pope – Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Tino Livramento – Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton – Jacob Murphy, Alexander Isak, Harvey Barnes. (4-3-3)
Spooky Express Betting Prediction
With both sides thriving in attack but showing occasional defensive vulnerabilities, Saturday’s clash at Villa Park could deliver plenty of goalmouth action. Aston Villa are slight favorites at +140 with EveryGame. Meanwhile, Newcastle United offer solid value at +175 to continue their winning streak. A Draw is priced at +265, but with both teams’ attacking form, a stalemate seems less likely.
For those expecting a high-scoring affair, backing Over 3.5 Goals at enticing odds of +145 looks a smart play. Additionally, Alexander Isak – fresh off his midweek goal – presents a great anytime goalscorer value at +140. His clinical touch and Newcastle’s strong offensive momentum make him a great pick.
Spooky Express Free Play: Over 3.5 Goals +145 at EveryGame for 5/10 Units
Spooky Express Free Play 2: Alexander Isak Anytime Goalscorer +140 at EveryGame for 5/10 Units