Aston Villa will host Newcastle United with both teams hoping to qualify for the Champions League this season. Even if Villa’s results have slightly declined, they are still in the top four. If they lose again in the middle of the week, however, their ailing visitors could fall into the bottom half.
Preview (Aston Villa vs. Newcastle United)
Following their most recent Premier League match, a goalless draw at Everton (Unai Emery’s first goalless outcome in the league in his 97th game) resulted in another tie for Aston Villa, this time away to Chelsea in the FA Cup. The once-prolific Villans have now won just two of their last six games. They have only defeated Championship team Middlesbrough 1-0 in their opening game of 2024. Tuesday night, when they make a welcome return to home ground. Emery’s team will look to pick up some momentum before the cup replay. A spot in the fifth round up for grabs.
Villa will return to Birmingham, where they have won 16 of their last 17 Premier League games. This season at Villa Park, the West Midlands club’s deficit has only been 43 minutes. Although Emery has assembled an aggressive team, their recent success has also been built on a strong defensive unit. This season, they have only let up nine goals in the first half of Premier League games. No team let up less before halftime.
No side has taken fewer points than Eddie Howe’s team since they defeated Manchester United at the beginning of December, their seventh victory in ten league games. At least the FA Cup has brought them some comfort. Following a devastating 3-2 league loss to Manchester City, Newcastle overcame their bitter rivals Sunderland 3-0 in the third round and advanced to the fifth round of the competition on Saturday thanks to goals from local boys Sean Longstaff and Dan Burn, who defeated Fulham at Craven Cottage. With that victory, they completed a much-needed midseason break, during which the Toon’s treatment table was nearly full and signs of mental exhaustion had begun to appear.
Team News
Due to injuries, Colombian attacker Jon Duran, who was recently mentioned as a potential winter transfer to AC Milan or Chelsea, may spend at least the next few months at Villa Park. Long-term absentees Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia are still out, and both Pavel Torres (ankle) and Jacob Ramsey (thigh) are out. Bertrand Traore is still playing for Burkina Faso at the Africa Cup of Nations. Lucas Digne is getting closer to returning from a thigh injury.
Ollie Watkins finds himself in the lead completely unopposed now that Duran is out. The England striker has contributed to nine goals in his previous eight Premier League home games. He needs one more goal to achieve 50 goals in the league. Alexander Isak, who has scored in the last three league games for the visitors. He is leading Newcastle’s attack in the meantime. Due to an injury, his lone opponent for a starting position as a center forward. Callum Wilson is still not fully fit.
Harvey Barnes is getting closer to being involved as well, although Matt Targett, the former Villa defender, Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, Nick Pope, Elliott Anderson, and Joe Willock are still out of the running. Bayern Munich has made a bid for Kieran Trippier, who is hoping to overcome a slight groin ailment. However, it is unclear if Jamaal Lascelles or Miguel Almiron will be selected after being left out of the starting lineup on Saturday due to transfer rumors.
Aston Villa 1-1 Newcastle United
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