Aston Villa (A): Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction
My goodness, how long ago does that 5-1 win against Villa on the opening weekend of the Premier League season feel?
We demolished a highly-favoured Aston Villa, new signing Sandro Tonali scored on his league debut, and for a few glorious moments it felt as though we might win the lot. But history has been much more grounded in reality than the heady moments of that August day.
Villa have bounced back and look to be having a season like we did last time out. And the Mags have stuttered after a dazzling Champions League campaign, besieged by injuries and looking unlikely to strengthen in January.
Although League form has not been good reading for us recently, but two wins from two in the FA Cup sets us up for only our third appearance in the Fifth Round in the last 18 years. Can we look to bring the clinical side of the performance against Fulham to Villa Park? Will we manage to keep our tenacity up for the rest of the campaign? The second-half of the season will be full of questions like these and will be exacerbated if we do not bolster the squad by the end of Wednesday night.
Boss Eddie Howe said the Fulham result gave the team "a lot of confidence" as the Toon look to turn around their poor league form.
"Defensively we looked resilient and solid. Hopefully it gives us a lot of confidence. I think you seen an improved performance towards the end of the game. Probably reflecting the scoreline and the fact we were winning - you saw a bit of freedom return.”
"We need to make sure we're prepared for Villa," Howe said. "It will be a very difficult game. They're in very good form so we need to get our game plan right.
"It seems a long time ago [since the 5-1 win on opening day]. I think we were at our best from an attacking sense that day. I think that showed what we're capable of."
Newcastle have not scored in the last six games away to Villa and the away side has not won in a Newcastle v Villa game since 2013.
Team news
Howe is 'hoping' to have Miguel Almiron back in his matchday squad after missing the Fulham game through illness. The game comes too soon for Harvey Barnes and Callum Wilson who are "close" to return according to Howe. But Jamaal Lascelles remains out with a calf injury, joining Joe Willock, Elliot Anderson, Joelinton and Nick Pope on the sidelines.
Kieran Trippier (groin) also picked up a knock against Fulham but is expected to be okay for the trip to the Midlands.
Newcastle-linked Jacob Ramsey is not expected to be fit to play after a recent hamstring injury. Jhon Duran is also out for the Villains, who will also be missing Pau Torres and Lucas Digne.
Predicted XI - Dubravka – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Miley – Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
It is a toss-up between Jacob Murphy and Almiron for the spot on the right wing. Howe started Murphy against Fulham and he had the ball in the back of the net but was offside. Having had his minutes managed - and given Miggy's recent illness - Murphy is seemingly the more likely to start.
Burn was named man of the match in the FA Cup and will start over Livramento, you would think. We've kept clean sheets in our last two away games and you suspect Howe will stick with the same trusted back four as a result. Miley will celebrate his new contract with a goal contribution - you heard it here first.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2 - 1 Newcastle
This will be tough. Villa are a very good team under Emery and both sides have evolved from the opening day thrashing - Newcastle mainly through necessity. A dogged defensive performance against Fulham will give us confidence to go to Villa Park, but a poor away record will be on the minds of Geordies.
It is really hard to call, but despite there being many points to play for this season, I am unsure that the Toon will return from the Midlands with any at all. With that being said, this side has a wonderful record of getting results when up against it.
Please prove me wrong Eddie.
Into them!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sickw7zjT-o&t=640s&ab_channel=NewcastleUnited
