The upcoming Premier League match between Aston Villa and Newcastle is set to be an exciting clash between two of the league’s form teams. Both sides are in the running for a top-four finish, with Newcastle having won their last five league games and Aston Villa victorious in six of their last seven.
Unai Emery, who turned down the Newcastle job last year after their takeover went through, has propelled Aston Villa into sixth place, nine points off the top four. While a finish in the Champions League places may be beyond them this season, they will be looking to stop Newcastle’s run and continue their winning streak at home against the Magpies.
The match is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 15, with kick-off at Villa Park at 12:30 pm. TalkSPORT will have live coverage from Birmingham, with Reshmin Chowdhury presenting and commentary from Clive Tyldesley and former England striker Dean Ashton.
Aston Villa has quite a few injury concerns, with Leon Bailey joining the list of absentees through a hamstring problem. Meanwhile, Newcastle could be without Allan Saint-Maximin for the remainder of the season after he tore his hamstring. But Miguel Almiron could be in the matchday squad after returning to training earlier than anticipated.
Former Villa striker and talkSPORT pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor has backed Newcastle to finish third, citing their consistency and competition for places. He also praised Almiron’s outstanding performance and Isak’s ability to bully defenders.
The match facts show that Aston Villa has lost their last two Premier League matches against Newcastle United but had been unbeaten against them in seven games before that. Since their return to the Premier League in 2019, Aston Villa has won all three of their home games against Newcastle by the same scoreline (2-0). Since Unai Emery’s first Premier League game in charge of Aston Villa in November, only Arsenal has picked up more points and earned more wins than the Villans. Newcastle has won each of their last five Premier League games, three of which have been away from home.
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins has scored in nine of his last 11 league appearances and has scored in 12 different Premier League games this season overall. Bertrand Traoré has scored in his last two Premier League games, with both of these appearances coming as a substitute. Alexander Isak has scored in each of Newcastle’s last three Premier League away games.
In conclusion, the match between Aston Villa and Newcastle is set to be a thrilling encounter between two of the Premier League’s form teams. Both sides will be looking to secure a top-four finish, and it remains to be seen who will come out on top.