Paul Merson makes big Jacob Murphy claim and predicts Aston Villa vs Newcastle
Newcastle are two wins away from “guaranteed Champions League football” but will face a tough battle this weekend, is the view of Paul Merson.
Victory over Aston Villa on Saturday would see us go eight points clear of Unai Emery’s side, who would remain in seventh. It would also continue our impressive run of momentum to seven consecutive wins at a vital part of the season.
In what should be a competitive game of football, Villa will simultaneously know that a win would see them move just two points behind us as they look to get back on track after being knocked out of the Champions League by PSG despite an impressive effort.
“Stuff of dreams” season for NUFC
Newcastle securing Champions League football on top of victory in the Carabao Cup would be the “stuff of dreams,” is the fair assessment of Arsenal legend Merson, who predicted a tight game at Villa Park in his piece for Sportskeeda.
Jason Tindall has guided the Toon to batterings of Manchester United and Crystal Palace in the absence of Eddie Howe to see us climb to third in the table with just six league games still to play, and a seventh consecutive win on Saturday would surely put us in the driving seat for a finish in the top five.
Every point matters for Villa who can’t afford to play for a draw, while a win would put the Mags in prime position for Champions League, is the view of Merson who wrote: “Newcastle are coming along quite well.
“They are showing signs of a team playing with confidence. But this is easily one of their biggest games of the season. Even though Newcastle are flying in third-place, a defeat to seventh-placed Aston Villa will cut the gap between these teams to just two points! That’s how tight the race to finish in the top five really is.
“If Newcastle can win this game and beat Ipswich in their next one, I think they will be guaranteed Champions League football next season. Winning a trophy was incredible in itself, but imagine if they can top it off with this achievement? The stuff of dreams if you’re a Newcastle fan.
“A draw would do Aston Villa no good here. After this game, they face Manchester City away from home. If they manage to get only one or two points from these two games, I think they are in serious danger of missing out on a top five finish!”
“Both teams are playing well at the moment. We all know what Villa did in the Champions League this season and they must look to qualify again. This is a mouth-watering clash and I expect it to be entertaining with goals at both ends.”
Merson’s prediction: Aston Villa 2 Newcastle United 2
Murphy love-in continues
Jacob Murphy has been heaped with praise from all corners of punditry and Merson joined the trend of giving the 30-year-old his well-earned flowers.
In all competitions this season Murphy has contributed to an elite total of 24 goals, 19 of those coming in the Premier League. The winger is very evidently enjoying his football this season and continues to go from strength-to-strength.
Jason Tindall, Sam Allardyce and Chris Sutton are amongst the long list of names who have credited the performances of Murphy in recent weeks - and Merson has now singled the positive attacker out for praise.
“Murphy is one of the most underrated players in the league,” he said. “He always works his socks off, scores goals, makes them and I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves.”
