Aston Villa (H) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction

"It's been a good week for us. The players, naturally, after three games in a week were feeling the effects of that early in the week but we've trained well so we're all fully prepared. We're enjoying the moment we're in. We want to keep it going as long as we can. There's no complacency."

These were Eddie Howe's comments in his Friday morning press conference, offering words of encouragement on the fitness front while warning against complacency in a bid to keep our sensational run of form going.

This week we welcome a rejuvenated Aston Villa side to St James' Park. Less than 10 days ago, they were battered at Fulham and struggling badly under Steven Gerrard, yet the picture looks very different following his sacking, with them following up a 4-0 win over Brentford last weekend with the appointment of Unai Emery.

The man who was backed to replace Steve Bruce 12 months ago won't be in the dugout for this one, as he's still waiting to receive a work permit, but they'll be eager to impress their new boss and build on their big win over Brentford, making this anything but a walk over for Newcastle United.

Hopefully we can keep the momentum going and play with the sort of confidence and commitment that saw us pull off that superb win over Spurs; a victory that's left us in the top four just a few weeks before the World Cup break.

Team news

Allan Saint-Maximin could return to the bench after making good progress behind the scenes, with Elliot Anderson expected to be back in the squad after overcoming a niggle.

Alexander Isak (thigh) remains absent and will be missing until after the World Cup break and Paul Dummett could also be missing after picking up another knock last week.

For Villa, Lucas Digne is expected to return to the squad, however former Toon targets Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos remain out.

Predicted line ups

(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock – Almiron, Wilson, Joelinton.

I can't see Howe making any changes to the side that beat Spurs last weekend, with us performing all over the pitch in what was one of our best displays of the season so far.

Joelinton did a great job down the left, Longstaff put in a real shift in the middle and Burn barely put a foot wrong, despite some calling for Targett's return.

It seems the players have also recovered well from three games in eight days, with Howe revealing no new injury issues or concerning levels of fatigue during his press conference on Friday morning.

Should we need a boost from the bench, we could have Allan Saint-Maximin available for a late cameo, with Jonjo Shelvey and Elliot Anderson also on hand to make an impact if needed.

Predicted Aston Villa XI: Martinez - Cash, Konsa, Mings, Young - Dendoncker, Luiz - Watkins, Buendia, Bailey - Ings.

One to watch: Leon Bailey - He's had a patchy start to the season, but swapped to the left in Villa's 4-0 win over Brentford and bagged a goal and an assist. He has bags of pace and will look to test Trippier. Emi Buendia - who is likely to start as a No 10 - is another threat, possessing that low centre of gravity and creative spark who'll look to get in behind our midfield.

Prediction

Villa will have been boosted by that 4-0 win and Emery's appointment, but he won't be in the dugout on Saturday against a Newcastle side brimming with confidence all over the pitch.

We've lost just once in our last 15 home games, have the best defence in the league, brilliant team spirit, a team full of in form players and the potential to boost our European hopes in front of a packed out St James' Park.

For me, all of that outweighs a Villa side who've generally been well below their best this season, so I'm backing us to come out on top in what could be an open game full of goals at St James' Park!

Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Aston Villa