Villa Park hosts a proper cup tie on Saturday evening as Aston Villa welcome Newcastle in the FA Cup fourth round with both sides eyeing a genuine run at silverware.
The Villans scraped past Brighton in midweek thanks to a late own goal; hardly vintage stuff but three points nonetheless. Newcastle, meanwhile, silenced their critics with that gutsy win at Spurs, giving Eddie Howe some much-needed breathing space.
Here’s the thing though — Newcastle have got a massive Champions League clash in Azerbaijan on Wednesday. That’s a horrible turnaround, and you’ve got to wonder if Howe might rest a few with one eye on Europe. Villa don’t have that problem.
The Sporting News brings you tips and predictions for this FA Cup clash.
Aston Villa vs. Newcastle United Prediction: Who Will Win?
We’ve got to back a narrow home win at Villa Park.
Newcastle’s away form in England is borderline disastrous. Just three league wins on the road all season tells you everything about their struggles when leaving Tyneside, and their recent collapse has been alarming – four defeats in five Premier League matches including ruthless beatings from Liverpool (4-1) and Man City (3-1).
Without Antony Gordon and Joelinton, they are depleted going forward and there are question marks over Bruno Guimaraes as well.
Villa have been far from vintage themselves – two consecutive home defeats before that fortunate 1-0 scrape past Brighton.
However, Villa have got Newcastle number this season with one draw and one win – comprehensive 2-0 away win last month at St James’ Park
This has all the hallmarks of a cagey, low-scoring affair decided by a single moment of quality , exactly the type of match Emery excels in managing.
Our Score Prediction: Aston Villa 1-0 Newcastle (9/1 with Skybet)
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Head-to-Head: Aston Villa vs. NewcastleNewcastle hold the edge with 76 wins compared to Aston Villa’s 61 victories across 177 meetings (40 draws)Aston Villa have won three of their last five home league games against Newcastle (3W, 1D, 1 L)The last three meetings at Villa Park have seen just nine goals total, with one 0-0 draw, one 4-1 win for Villa and one 3-1 Aston Villa lossAston Villa vs. Newcastle: Form GuideAston Villa – Last 5 matches (All competitions)Aston Villa 1-0 Brighton (Premier League)Bournemouth 1-1 Aston Villa (Premier League)Aston Villa 0-1 Brentford (Premier League)Aston Villa 3-2 Salzburg (Europa League)Newcastle 2-0 Aston Villa (Premier League)Newcastle – Last 5 matches (All competitions)Tottenham 2-1 Newcastle (Premier League)Newcastle 2-3 Brentford (Premier League)Man City 3-1 Newcastle (EFL Cup)Liverpool 4-1 Newcastle (Premier League)PSG 1-1 Newcastle (Champions League)Aston Villa vs. Newcastle Betting Tips
Not a huge price but one for your Saturday FA Cup acca — we’re backing Aston Villa double chance (Draw or Aston Villa win) (1/3 with Paddy Power) for the following reasons:
Unai Emery has dominated Eddie Howe in their head-to-head meetings. He has won six and drawn one from 10 encounters. Villa have already beaten Newcastle once this season, including a 2-0 victory at St. James’ Park last month.Newcastle are in terrible away form with just three Premier League victories on the road all season. Their recent record is alarming — four defeats in their last five matches including heavy losses to Liverpool (4-1) and Man City (3-1). Newcastle’s injury crisis has stripped them of key attacking weapons with both Antony Gordon and Joelinton unavailable. The last meeting at Villa Park ended 0-0, and with the Magpies depleted going forward, Villa should at minimum avoid defeat after 90 minutes.
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Aston Villa vs. Newcastle Team News, Injury ListAston Villa Team NewsUnai Emery is likely to make changes from the side that scraped past Brighton 1-0, with the FA Cup providing an opportunity to rotate his squad.Tammy Abraham could lead the line in search of goals after Villa struggled to create chances in midweek, while Morgan Rogers and Emi Buendia will provide creativity in attack.Matty Cash remains a doubt with a small injury and joins a lengthy injury list that includes key midfielders Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and John McGinn.Newcastle Team NewsEddie Howe faces a defensive crisis with Fabian Schar ruled out until April and skipper Bruno Guimaraes potentially missing after being substituted late against Tottenham with a possible hamstring issue.The Magpies are without key attackers Antony Gordon and Joelinton, forcing Howe to rely on Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy for attacking threat.Lewis Miley could return after missing three matches with a dead leg.Aston Villa vs. Newcastle lineups: Predicted Starting XI’s
Here is how we think Aston Villa and Newcastle could line up in this important FA Cup fixture.
Aston Villa predicted lineup to play Newcastle
Bizot (GK) – Bogarde, Konsa, Torres, Digne – Luiz, Onana – Bailey, Rogers, Buendia – Abraham
Out: Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, GarciaDoubt: CashNewcastle predicted lineup to play Aston Villa
Ramsdale (GK) – Hall, Botman, Thiaw, Trippier – Tonali, Guimaraes*, Willock – Murphy, Woltemade, Barnes
Out: Krafth, Livramento, Schar, Gordon, JoelintonDoubt: GuimaraesAston Villa vs. Newcastle Odds: Who is the favourite to win?Bet Builder Tips: Aston Villa vs. Newcastle
Our bet builder for Aston Villa vs. Newcastle today is under 2.5 goals, Newcastle to score under 1.5 goals and Double chance Aston Villa (Home-Draw), which came to overall best odds of 9/5 with Lardbrokes at the time of writing.
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