Verdict: Yoane Wissa over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Luckster
Two camps who will turn their attention back to Premier League duties on Sunday afternoon, Newcastle will welcome Aston Villa to St. James’ Park.
Newcastle
Starting with the hosts, storming their way to a Champions League play-off ticket earlier in the week as they secured a thumping 3-0 victory at home against Dutch giants PSV, Newcastle will be dreaming of a repeat display here. Despite falling to a 2-0 EFL Cup defeat at the hands of Manchester City on January 13th, Eddie Howe’s men should be excited by their extended success on home soil. Getting the New Year underway with a 2-0 win against Crystal Palace, the former Bournemouth boss has seen his squad suffer just a sole defeat from any of their previous 15 straight showdowns at St. James’ Park across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to the end of September. Looking to skyrocket their way into the European spots this weekend, Sunday’s hosts will be looking to make a heavyweight statement on Tyneside.
Newcastle Team News
Limping off late in the first-half against PSV on Wednesday night after picking up a suspected ankle issue, Newcastle are expected to be without skipper Bruno Guimaraes here. Likewise, all still dealing with respective injury blows, the Magpies will be unable to call upon the likes of Fabian Schar, Emil Krafth, Dan Burn and Jacob Murphy.
Opening his Champions League account in midweek, summer recruit and former Brentford striker Yoane Wissa will be hoping to keep his spot leading the line. Recently returning from a hamstring issue, former England international Kieran Trippier should star at right-back.
Aston Villa
As for the visitors, collecting a stellar 1-0 victory away at Turkish giants Fenerbahce on Thursday evening, Aston Villa are rightfully installed as a standout Europa League contender here. However, despite receiving a string of plaudits from across the continent this season, Unai Emery’s men are seeking some recent domestic stability. Slumping to a shock 1-0 loss at home against Everton last weekend, the former PSG boss has seen his squad register just a single win from any of their previous four Premier League appearances. Likewise, falling to a 3-0 drumming when they last travelled to St, James’ Park back in December 2024, they have lost all of their last four straight trips to Tyneside by an aggregate score of 13-1. In fact, Villa have remarkably failed to win a single top-flight showdown at St. James’ since way back in 2005.
Aston Villa Team News
Undergoing knee surgery earlier in the week, Aston Villa are expected to be without French international Boubacar Kamara for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign. Left at home on Thursday and once again linked with a move away from the Midlands this month, it remains to be seen if Emi Martinez will return between the sticks.
Suffering a first-half knee injury against Everton last weekend, skipper John McGinn is facing weeks on the sidelines. However, in what could prove to be a timely boost for Emery’s squad, Belgium international Amadou Onana could make a first Premier League appearance since December 30th.
Newcastle vs Aston Villa Key Factors to Consider
- When Newcastle and Aston Villa met for their reverse Premier League showdown on August 16th, Sunday’s opponents opened the 2025/26 campaign with a 0-0 stalemate in the Midlands.
- Newcastle have won all of their last four straight Premier League meetings against Aston Villa at St. James’ Park by an aggregate score of 13-1.
- The Magpies have lost just one of their last 15 straight showdowns at St. James’ Park across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to the end of September.
- Aston Villa have recorded just a single win from any of their previous four Premier League appearances.
- Emery’s side have recorded just a single domestic clean sheet outside of the Midlands since back on September 13th.
Conclusion
Falling to a 3-0 drumming when they last travelled to St. James’ Park back in December 2024, Aston Villa hold what is a nightmare record on Tyneside. Along with losing all of their previous four trips to Newcastle by an aggregate score of 13-1, Emery’s side have remarkably failed to claim a Premier League victory away at the Magpies since way back in 2005. Despite collecting a heavyweight Europa League scalp in Istanbul on Thursday, Villa should be asked some serious questions here.
Verdict: Yoane Wissa over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Luckster
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