The Magpies have every reason to approach this match with confidence, given how strong they have been on home turf this season. They have played 20 matches at St James’ Park across all competitions this season, boasting the record of 13 wins, three draws and four losses. In fact, Newcastle have suffered just one home defeat since September, and that came against Man City in the EFL Cup. 

Meanwhile, Aston Villa have stuttered in recent weeks, and have failed to win three of their last six matches across all competitions. While they were able to take three points in the Europa League midweek, they were involved in a testing Thursday night clash against Fenerbahce, and make the long trip to Tyneside this weekend. 

Villa have struggled at St James’ Park in recent years, and won’t be particularly excited for this match. Newcastle have won each of the last four competitive meetings at home against Aston Villa, by an aggregate score of 13-1. 

These sides last met back in matchday one this season, and it finished as a goalless stalemate. Newcastle were the dominant side, racking up 16 shots and two big chances, but were unable to find the back of the net. The Magpies were unfortunate to leave that match with just a single point, but they have been much more efficient in front of goal when playing at home. In fact, that defeat against Man City last week was the first time all season they have failed to score at home. 

Prior to that, the Magpies had scored multiple goals in 13 consecutive games, including against the likes of Chelsea and Man City. They have been effective against the top sides, and should cause Villa problems here. 

Unai Emery’s men will also fancy their chances of contributing to the scoreline, given that they have seen BTTS and over 2.5 goals land in nine of their last eleven matches across all competitions. 

It has been a positive season for the Villains so far, as they sit third in the Premier League standings, level on points with Man City and just seven points behind league-leaders Arsenal. Their 1-0 win over Fenerbahce midweek lifted them to second in the Europa League standings, too, highlighting how competitive they have been on multiple fronts. 

Morgan Rogers has been a key reason for that, with eight goals and six assists under his belt after 31 appearances this season. The England international is averaging 3.66 shots per 90 in his last nine matches, and has landed this selection in eight of those. Rogers has registered more shots than any other Aston Villa player in that stretch, and has bagged five goals, highlighting how he is in a rich vein of form which makes him a player to keep an eye on.

With John McGinn out injured, Evan Guessand is expected to start on the right side of Unai Emery’s attack against Newcastle. Back from international duty at AFCON, the Ivorian has struggled to stay within the physical boundaries in his debut Premier League season, committing 1.68 fouls per 90. He’s made at least one infringement in all but one of his six league starts and should over-step the mark at least once here.

Newcastle left back Lewis Hall will be Guessand’s direct opponent in this game and when he’s one of the most in-form players in the division when it comes to winning fouls, it only adds to the reasoning for this pick. Hall has been hauled down 14 times across his last four appearances in all competitions and 1.86 times per 90 across the season and so won’t hesitate to go down under contact from Guessand.

Newcastle will also have to do without their regular skipper, as Bruno Guimaraes had to be replaced in the first-half against PSV last time out. The Brazilian suffered an ankle injury, and will be a massive miss for Eddie Howe. That puts a big responsibility on the shoulders of Sandro Tonali in midfield. 

The Italian international has seen an uptick in fouls recently, landing this selection in six of his last nine starts. He has also been carded in three successive matches coming into this clash, highlighting his aggressive defensive style. Tonali played the full 90 against PSV midweek, and is likely to repeat that feat against Aston Villa here. 

Considering the Villains have drawn more fouls this season than any other Premier League side, it is an excellent matchup for Tonali to increase his average of 1.73 fouls per 90 this season. He should find duels against the likes of Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans in midfield.

Lamare Bogarde is another player who Tonali should find duels with, and he is also adept at drawing contact. The 22-year-old was fouled three times against Fenerbahce midweek, taking his average to 2.56 fouls drawn per 90 for the season. 

He has deputised effectively since Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana have been out, and should keep his spot in midfield here alongside Tielemans. Bogarde was booked in stoppage time in the Europa League midweek, meaning he has now picked up a caution in back-to-back starts. 

Despite his limited minutes this season, Bogarde is no stranger to the referee’s notebook. He has been carded seven times this season, despite only starting 12 matches. Considering Newcastle are drawing an average of 2.9 yellow cards per game at home this season, it’s an ideal matchup to back the Dutchman once again.

Anthony Gordon was on the scoresheet midweek against PSV, helping his side to a 3-0 win at home. That takes his tally to nine goals and four assists for the season, with nine of those goal involvements coming at St James’ Park. Gordon also played a key role in Newcastle FA Cup progression recently, as he registered a goal and assist against Bournemouth. 

The winger made a significant impact from the bench in that one, converting his penalty in stoppage time to level the scores. He then provided the assist for Harvey Barnes in extra-time, before stepping up first for his side in the penalty shootout, and converting his spot kick. Once again, Gordon will be the designated penalty taker for his side this weekend. 

The Englishman has an impressive record against Aston Villa on Tyneside, as he took just two minutes to open the scoring when these sides last met at St James’ Park.