Premier League: Villa Park Welcome Newcastle as a Footballing Fortress

Aston Villa vs Newcastle United

This Premier League fixture marks the reverse games from the opening weekend of the season, and, as a barometer, it’s interesting to see how both Aston Villa and Newcastle are faring five and a half months on.

While Villa are fourth—the position Newcastle claimed last term—the Geordies are down in 11th, and few expected that.

Yes, Eddie Howe’s side has had to deal with a catalogue of injuries, and, to an extent, that is a genuine excuse.

Yet it doesn’t explain fully why they find themselves in midtable and out of Europe, despite some marvellous memories in their first Champions League adventure for 20 years.

As for Villa, the Unai Emery renaissance is showing no signs of stopping and they will want to create more Premier League 2024 highlights in midweek and maintain an excellent home record against their opponents from the North East.

Talking Points

Both clubs were in FA Cup action at the weekend

Villa earned a replay after a draw at Chelsea on Friday night, a tie in which they may have won had VAR not intervened to deny Douglas Luiz an early goal.

On saying that, goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was man of the match with a fine display which earned Emery’s men a third consecutive clean sheet in all competitions.

Clean sheets are something that have been a real rarity for Newcastle this term; they have only kept on in the league since early December.

They managed one at the weekend, though, as they won 2-0 at Fulham in the FA Cup, with goals either side of halftime from Sean Longstaff and Dan Burn.

Despite their defensive inconsistency, Newcastle’s attacking impetus remains a threat, and they came within seconds of holding champions Manchester City to a draw in their most recent league encounter.

While Howe has done a fine job on Tyneside over the last two years, no one can match Emery’s short-term impact.

The Villains were 17th when he took over 16 months ago.

The rest is very much history at a club which has been transformed since his arrival.

Emery has now turned Villa Park into a fortress, and they have won 16 of their last 17 home games in the Premier League.

This should be an end-to-end encounter rather than a cagey affair, and, chances are, the team with the most potent attack will edge home.

History

Newcastle have historically had the edge in this fixture with 74 victories compared to 59 Villa triumphs and 39 draws.

Villa took the honours in resounding fashion in their first ever meetings in the FA Cup in 1895 and 1897, respectively.

In the inaugural game in a second-round tie at Villa Park, the scorers were Charlie Athersmith (two), John Devey (two), William Dorrell (two), and George Russell, with Bill Thompson netting the Newcastle consolation in a 7-1 romp.

It was 5-1 two years later at the first round stage when Athersmith was on target again.

Newcastle secured their first ever victory over Villa in a league encounter in 1900—Alex Gardner and Jack Preddie (two) were the marksmen in a 3-2 victory at St James’ Park.

This clash last season saw Villa turn on the style and threaten Newcastle’s Champions League qualification hopes with an emphatic 3-0 success, as Jacob Ramsey and Ollie Watkins (two) scored the goals.

In fact, it’s over a decade since Newcastle last won at Villa Park—a Premier League encounter in September 2013 when Hartem Ben Arfa and Yoan Gouffran grabbed the goals in a 2-1 win. Christian Benteke replied for the home side.

Newcastle have enjoyed home comforts against Villa in recent seasons, including on the opening weekend of this campaign.

A 5-1 win that day saw Sandro Tonali score an early opener for a dream debut.

Moussa Diaby quickly equalised but the Toon Army then took control with Alexander Isak (two), Callum Wilson and another debutant, Harvey Barnes, completing the coup de grace.

Betting Tip

Villa’s home record against Newcastle is expected to continue, according to the SBOTOP Premier League 2024 betting odds.

You can back them 1X2 @ 1.98 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.21, with Newcastle out as far as 1X2 @ 3.22 and Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.19.

The draw will pay out at an appealing @ 3.50.

A re-run of last term’s 3-0 triumph is on offer @ 20.00 with Correct Score, with goals aplenty options, such as total goal 2-3 @ 2.09, 4-6 @ 2.60 and over 3.25 @ 2.14, all worth considering.

A tighter affair at total goal 0-1 will give you attractive odds @ 4.80.

I do think this is very much a contest in the balance and, while I’m edging towards Villa, I’m not convinced that Newcastle won’t return home with a point.

 

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