Newcastle United vs Aston Villa
There are a few obvious angles with which to preview this Premier League matchup. The obvious one is to say this meeting is between the two clubs with the best chance to break into the so-called “Big Five.”
Of course, that is not to be taken literally as both clubs have finished in the top five in recent seasons, outperforming most of the established big hitters (bar Manchester City and Arsenal) during that time.
The other obvious one is to highlight the final day of last season when both sides slipped up, Villa’s reverse at Old Trafford proving costly as Newcastle pipped them to the lucrative Champions League.
Yet to me, while both those factors add to the backdrop, this Sunday’s clash on Tyneside is immediately about who recovers quickest.
Let’s face it, Eddie Howe or astute Spaniard Unai Emery aren’t working with the biggest squads, and wrestling domestic and European commitments is something the latter has managed far better so far.
For that to continue in the second half of the campaign, though, may require some reinforcements.
Talking Points
Their respective quest for Premier League 2026 highlights has been hampered this week.
Villa lost their captain and influential leader, John McGinn, to a knee injury in their weekend reverse at home to Everton, while Boubacar Kamara – considered the glue that holds the team together – has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign in an undeniable blow.
As a result, Emery must now consider whether to find a replacement, despite financial restrictions that led to the £25 million sale of Donyell Malen to Roma last week.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is one option supposedly being considered, with the former Chelsea man, now at AC Milan, a reported target.
Either way, it would be a shame if Villa do not strengthen and lose the momentum of a fine first half of the season.
Newcastle are in a slightly better state, but the sight of their captain, Bruno Guimaraes, hobbling off with an ankle injury, during the first half of their midweek Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven will be a worry for Howe.
Given the absences on both sides, and the fact that Villa were in European action (a fine 1-0 win at Fenerbahce in the Europa League) 24 hours after Newcastle, it may well be that the hosts have the edge this weekend.
But Emery’s side has triumphed against the odds before.
History
Newcastle have historically had the edge in this fixture with 76 victories compared to 60 Villa triumphs and 40 draws. Villa resoundingly took the honours in their first 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.
Last season saw both sides win on their own turf. Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak, and Joelinton were the men on target as the Geordies recorded a 3-0 success on Boxing Day 2024.
Villa then turned the tables with a resounding 4-1 success last April when Ollie Watkins, Ian Maatsen, and Amadou Onana were the goal-getters (there was also an own goal) – three quick goals arriving in the second half for the hosts after Fabian Schar had levelled for the Toon.
Newcastle pipped Villa to a Champions League spot by the narrowest of margins the following month.
For the second time in three seasons, Villa and Newcastle met on the opening day this term and battled out a goalless draw, the Villains playing the final 24 minutes with 10 men following the dismissal of Ezri Konsa.
Betting Tip
If you fancy another goalless draw with the SBOTOP Premier League 2026 betting odds, then Correct Score will earn you a tidy pay day at a staggering @ 15.50.
Given Villa’s fairly thin squad, Newcastle are big favourites, both 1X2 @ 1.99 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.26. Villa are actually adrift far more than I anticipated with odds which include 1X2 @ 3.26 and Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.21.
For two teams who like to attack, how about Over 3.25 @ 2.31, Total Goal 2-3 @ 2.07 and 4-6 @ 2.73?
Newcastle may fancy this on home soil, but I think Villa will bounce back from their defeat at home to Everton by getting a point.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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