Match Preview: Aston Villa vs Newcastle United – Villa desperate for second...

Match Preview: Aston Villa vs Newcastle United – Villa desperate for second win

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Aston Villa host Newcastle United at Villa Park on Saturday evening.

It is the first time these two sides have met outside English football’s top division (cup ties aside) since 1938.

Newcastle currently sit in third place on 15 points in the Championship, four points behind early pace-setters Huddersfield. They currently have the highest goal difference in the league, sitting at 10 and have won five games in the process. They did have a hiccup last weekend, losing 2-0 against mid-table Wolves, the Magpies’ third loss of the season.

For Villa, their start has been frustrating. They have eight points from eight games so far, with only win, five draws and two losses. They are sitting on zero goal difference which reflects their start to their bid for promotion.

Key Battle – Jack Grealish vs Jonjo Shelvey

For Villa, young attacking-midfielder Jack Grealish has enjoyed a solid start to the season without being excellent. He has faced media scrutiny after a late night out last week, but if he wants to show his true colours, then he will bounce back from that criticism.

His ability to cut in, cross or overlap with whoever is at left-back will be crucial in Villa’s chances of winning this game.

Newcastle’s Jonjo Shelvey will be pulling the strings in midfield for the Magpies. His ability to feed the ball to his forwards and get in between the lines will be key. Shelvey had already scored a goal of the season contender this season against QPR, and Villa cannot afford to give him space.

Shelvey will make the most of it.


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Team News

There is still some uncertainty about the fitness of Ross McCormack for Villa, while Rudy Gestede is still struggling with a hamstring problem. Richie De Laet is out for the season with a knee injury, and Nathan Baker is to be assessed on a hip complaint he picked up last weekend against Ipswich Town. Aaron Tshibola is again for selection, but will likely start on the bench.

Aston Villa Predicted XI: Gollini (GK); Amavi, Chester, Elphick, Bacuna; Westwood, Jedinak, Gardner, Grealish; Ayew, Kodjia.

For Newcastle, Vurnon Anita remains suspended as he has served two of his three-game ban for his red card against Wolves. Youngster Rolando Aarons is out indefinitely with a foot injury, while Massadio Haidara and Rob Elliot are currently doubtful.

Newcastle United Predicted XI: Sels (GK); Mbemba, Dummet, Clark, Lascelles; Colback, Shelvey, Diame, Ritchie, Perry; Mitrovic.

Head-to-Head

Newcastle United have the better of Aston Villa, with a record of 70 wins, 55 losses and 36 draws. Villa have not defeated Newcastle since April 2011, when the Villains won 1-0 at home. Since then, there has been five draws and five wins for the Magpies.

Previous Meeting

Both games between these teams in the Premier League last season ended in draws: 1-1 at St James’ Park, before a 0-0 result at Villa Park last May. These games were crucial for both teams for various reasons, but ended up being rather disappointing.

Prediction

Despite a lack of results to show, Villa have looked comfortable at home. They are undefeated in front of their fans this season, and it is only a matter of time before they get that crucial win on the board that gets them going – this is a great chance for them to kick-start against fellow promotion hopefuls. However, they face a strong Newcastle side that has started well in the Championship, as the table shows, and should come away with the win against their fellow powerhouse and promotion rivals.

Aston Villa 1 Newcastle United 2 

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