Aston Villa vs Newcastle United

Villa Park sets the stage for a handsomely-looking Premier League showdown between Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

Aston Villa had not played out a goalless draw since Unai Emery took charge in October 2022, yet their last two competitive outings have ended 0-0. After sharing the spoils with troubled Everton in their previous Premier League outing, the ‘Lions’ featured in another tepid affair in the initial leg of their FA Cup fourth-round tie against Chelsea at the weekend. Not long ago, Villa had been firmly in the title conversation, but after racking up just one win in their last four Premier League games (D2, L1), they’ve lost ground on pacesetters Liverpool. With five points separating the sides ahead of the kick-off, Villa will be out to protect their near-perfect home league record in 2023/24 (W9, D1) and maintain their high-flying six-game unbeaten home streak against Newcastle in the Premier League (W4, D2).

Not only are Newcastle United winless on their last six top-flight visits to the Midlands, but they’ve failed to get on the scoresheet on each occasion. It paints a bleak picture for under-pressure boss Eddie Howe as his men bid to get into the win column in away Premier League action for the first time since an 8-0 walloping of rock-bottom Sheffield United in late September. The ‘Magpies’ have since gone winless on seven subsequent league travels (D2, L5), losing the last five on the trot by a combined score of 14-3. However, they’ve shown signs of resurgence at the start of 2024, winning back-to-back away matches by 2+ goals ‘to nil’ after a 4-2 defeat at Liverpool on New Year’s Day.