Newcastle United vs Aston Villa predictions and betting tips – Top-four rivals clash

Despite their inconsistency so far this season, Newcastle United remain in the mix for Champions League qualification. Whether or not they are title contenders, Aston Villa are well positioned to reach that tournament too.

Will Newcastle deal a blow to Unai Emery’s side this weekend, or can Aston Villa get back on track after they slipped up last time out?

• Newcastle United win – 19/20 with Sky Bet
• Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score – 10/11 with BetVictor
• Yoane Wissa to score any time – 6/4 with Tote

Newcastle United vs Aston Villa odds

Find the latest Newcastle United vs Aston Villa betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Newcastle United vs Aston Villa predictions

Newcastle United and Aston Villa both enjoyed successful weeks in continental competition.

A 3-0 victory over PSV on Wednesday moved Newcastle up to seventh in the Champions League table. 

A top-eight finish – and thus a place in the round of 16 – is in their hands, although Eddie Howe’s side face a tricky test against Paris Saint-Germain on matchday eight next week.

A day later, Aston Villa ran out 1-0 winners over Fenerbahce in the Europa League. That triumph guaranteed a top-eight berth for Unai Emery’s men, allowing them to bypass the knockout phase play-offs.

Attention now returns to the bread and butter that is the Premier League, with Newcastle and Villa both aiming to bounce back from disappointing experiences last time out.

The Magpies were held to a 0-0 draw by last-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers. Not for the first time this season, they failed to take care of business on their travels. 

Newcastle have continually let themselves down by poor results away from home. They have won just two of 11 matches at opposition grounds, leaving them 12th in the away table. Everton, Fulham and Nottingham Forest are among the teams that have outperformed Newcastle on unfamiliar soil.

Unless they can start getting better results on the road, it is hard to see Newcastle qualifying for the Champions League.

Many of the other contenders, namely Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United, have flaws of their own. But Newcastle’s feeble performances at rival stadiums is an obstacle they must overcome.

Aston Villa have been much more reliable both home and away this season, although they were beaten 1-0 by Everton at Villa Park last weekend.

That result brought to an end Villa’s 11-game winning streak in front of their own fans, and it also means Emery’s charges have won just one of their last four league outings.

The Villa boss had a curious reaction to that defeat by Everton, insisting in his post-match interview that his team (currently third in the division and, according to many, title candidates) are “not contenders to be in the top five.”

Emery appears to be frustrated with Villa’s financial restrictions, with the manager clearly keen for reinforcements to arrive before the January window closes. Only time will tell whether or not his wish is granted.

Newcastle United vs Aston Villa betting tips

Newcastle United and Aston Villa will go head-to-head at St James’ Park on Sunday.

Newcastle can win this

It is hard to be too critical of Aston Villa given how well they have done so far this term, but their performances have dipped a little of late.

Perhaps even that is unfair. Villa were often edging tight, even games before Christmas. More recently there has been a reversion to the mean.

As they demonstrated against PSV on Wednesday, Newcastle are a force to be reckoned with in a big game at St James’ Park.

This sort of occasion tends to bring the best out of Howe’s side and we expect them to triumph on Sunday.

Go for a Newcastle United win at 19/20 with Sky Bet

Entertainment in store

By one measure at least, St James’ Park is one of the best Premier League stadiums to have a season ticket at. 

Newcastle United’s home games this term have featured an average of 3.36 goals, second only to West Ham United.

Meanwhile both teams have scored in eight of 11 games at St James’, a joint-high for the division.

It is hard to see either team keeping a clean sheet in this one, with Howe and Emery likely to push their sides to play on the front foot. Three or more goals is a distinct possibility.

Choose over 2.5 goals and both teams to score at 10/11 with BetVictor

Wissa to find net

With Yoane Wissa now fully fit again, Newcastle United have two options at centre-forward.

There is reason to believe Wissa will get the nod ahead of Nick Woltemade this weekend, unless Howe is tempted to try the pair in the same starting XI.

Wissa was Newcastle’s standout performer against PSV in midweek, scoring the opening goal and carrying a threat all night. It is hard to see him being dropped on the back of that performance.

Wissa scored 20 goals for Brentford last term, so he knows how to find the back of the net at this level. Aston Villa, beware.

Back Yoane Wissa to score any time at 6/4 with Tote

Newcastle United vs Aston Villa predicted lineups

• Newcastle United expected lineup: Pope; Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Wissa, Gordon.
• Aston Villa expected lineup: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Bogarde, Tielemans; Sancho, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins.

Where to watch Newcastle United vs Aston Villa

• Location: St James’ Park, Newcastle, England.
• Date and time: Sunday 25th January, 2pm.
• How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event.

More Premier League predictions

We have plenty more Premier League predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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