Newcastle and Aston Villa are both rounding into form at exactly the same time, making their Boxing Day showdown — one with real Champions League implications — the best of a brilliant bunch of fixtures.
**WATCH —** [**Newcastle vs Aston Villa**](https://www.nbc.com/watch/premier-league/newcastle-v-aston-villa/12008164)
Five points is all that stands between Newcastle (8th) and Nottingham Forest (4th), and the gap for Aston Villa (6th) is just three points. Throw in four-time defending champions Manchester City and two top-half newbies in Forest and Bournemouth, and we have the makings of a sensational top-4 race in the Premier League.
Newcastle are winners of two straight (4-0 in each) and Alexander Isak has been virtually unplayable (4 goals, 1 assist), but the real story is the back-to-back clean sheets. Prior to beating Leicester and Ipswich, Eddie Howe’s side gave up 10 goals in 4 games and won just 2 points as a result. Now, star defender Sven Botman is close to returning from a torn ACL and the Magpies look like a real contender. Villa, meanwhile, looked back to their annoying, pesky best as they beat Man City 2-1 on Saturday. They made possession a constant struggle for the spiraling champs and Morgan Rogers picked them apart (1 goal, 1 assist) on the counter with Jhon Duran also on the scoresheet again.
**How to watch** Newcastle vs Aston Villa **live, stream link and start time**
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**Kick off time**: 10 am ET Thursday (December 26)
**Venue**: St. James’ Park — Newcastle
**TV Channel**: USA
**Streaming**: [Watch live on NBC.com](https://www.nbc.com/watch/premier-league/newcastle-v-aston-villa/12008164)
**Newcastle team news, focus**
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OUT: Nick Pope (knee), Emil Krafth (shoulder), Callum Wilson (thigh), Jamaal Lascelles (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Joelinton (head), Sven Botman (knee)
**Aston Villa team news, focus**
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OUT: Jacob Ramsey (thigh)
Newcastle vs Aston Villa **prediction**
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These are two teams that are better, the more open and adventurous they are. Not only does no one want to see a cagey tactical battle, but it suits neither side whatsoever. Give the people what they want. **_Newcastle 3-3 Aston Villa_**.
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