Newcastle United boast a strong record against Aston Villa at St James’ Park.
Alan Shearer expects Newcastle United to make it four home wins on the bounce against Aston Villa this weekend.
Not since April 2005 - a game made famous by Lee Bowyer’s and Kieron Dyer’s on-field bust-up - have the Magpies tasted defeat to Villa at St James’ Park. Despite sitting third, there have been signs of unease among Unai Emery’s camp, with the manager pushing Youri Tielemans after subbing him in midweek.
Villa also lost 1-0 at home to Everton last Sunday - another sign of positivity for Newcastle. Here are how the pundits - including Toon icon Alan Shearer - predict the Premier League clash will turn out.
Alan Shearer
“Bruno Guimaraes going off injured for Newcastle is a worry depending on how bad it is, but Newcastle’s home form has been superb,” he told Metro. “I wouldn’t go against anyone with Newcastle at St James’ Park. It’s been very different to their away form. For that reason, I’m backing them.”
Prediction: Newcastle win
Paul Merson
“This is a massive football match in the context of the top four,” he wrote in his SportsKeeda column. “I was disappointed with how Aston Villa performed against Everton last weekend. I just didn’t think they would lose that game.
“Newcastle enjoyed a good win against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League. But I thought they were poor against Wolves in the Premier League last time out. Newcastle are missing something whenever they play away from home. They were so slow against Wolves and did not show the urgency they have at St James’ Park.
“Villa are 10 points ahead of Newcastle at the moment. If they get a win, Newcastle won’t catch them in the table. That will rule Newcastle out of the race to finish fourth and they will have to fight it out for fifth-place then. I’d want Yoane Wissa to start ahead of Nick Woltemade in this game.
“Ezri Konsa will enjoy going up against someone like Woltemade. If Wissa can make runs away from Konsa, that might trouble Villa at the back. I expect an entertaining draw.”
Prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Aston Villa
Read More
Chris Sutton
“Aston Villa's home defeat by Everton last week showed again how difficult it is to make predictions this season,” he told BBC Sport. “Villa had won their past 11 home games before then, and had been pretty dominant against Everton in the league in recent seasons too. I was extremely confident they would win to keep the pressure on Arsenal... and I was wrong!
“Now? Well, Unai Emery's side have a long trip to Turkey in the Europa League before this game and they have a few injuries to contend with too. John McGinn and Boubacar Kamara will be badly missed and I am slightly concerned about their options up front now Donyell Malen has left.
“That's why I'm backing Newcastle here. They are so strong in midfield but they are especially good at home - I always fancy them to win at St James' Park.”
Prediction: Newcastle United 2-1 Aston Villa
Continue Reading