Newcastle v Aston Villa - Match Preview
Newcastle host Aston Villa on Monday night in front of the Sky cameras, as they look to capitalise on their game-in-hand and regain top spot of the Championship. With Brighton winning yesterday and Huddersfield refusing to lie down, the Championship title race may go right down to the wire. The Magpies have a solid record against Aston Villa at St. James’ Park, Villa’s last win came in 2005, but since then Newcastle have collected 22 points out of a possible 33.
Aston Villa have somewhat been in free fall and have struggled to adapt to the rigours of the Championship. The installation of Steve Bruce has had little effect, and in some ways has hastened their downward spiral. With a negative net-spend of almost £60M, the Villains currently sit in 17th place – 6 points clear of the relegation zone. The two sides have built up a rivalry over the years, stemming from Newcastle’s relegation back in 2009. The game won’t just be about the importance of 3 points, but also bragging rights. The win for the Geordies will be sweet justice, condemning Villa to another defeat and edging them closer to the perils of a back-to-back relegation.
With 4 defeats in a row, Bruce is already feeling the heat and requires a “pick-me-up” game; the Newcastle-born, former Sunderland manager will certainly look to dent the Magpies’ promotion hopes, and as firm underdogs, the pressure will be off for the visitors. Lacking leadership and courage, Aston Villa will be boosted by the news of Mile Jedinak’s return. Henri Lansbury will certainly add fuel to the fire in his first encounter against Benítez’s men since his move from Nottingham Forest – his antics when Newcastle played Forest back in December will undoubtedly be reminded by the Geordies.
January signings Scott Hogan and Conor Hourihane can be a real threat on their day. Neither has yet to replicate their form, but Hogan bagged 14 goals for Brentford before his £15M move and Irish midfielder, Hourihane, managed 12 assists and 6 goals for Barnsley. Jonathan Kodjia is their top-scorer with 11 goals, but has been moved to wide midfield since Hogan’s arrival, as Bruce prefers the one up-front in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The back four were very unconvincing in Villa’s last outing against Barnsley, and Newcastle will look to exploit that and will be buoyed by the return of Dwight Gayle.
Despite his man of the match performance at the Molineux, Lascelles has looked slightly shaky in recent games, namely against QPR and Norwich. Despite getting the crucial equaliser at Carrow Road, Lascelles looked uncomfortable in doing the basics. The partnership of Lascelles and Clark has been formidable throughout the season, but with only 15 games remaining, the mounting pressure of promotion and carrying the club’s armband maybe getting to the 23-year-old. It’ll be interesting to see whether Benítez opts to take the commanding centre-back out of the limelight on this occasion.
Ayoze Pérez has come in for a lot of criticism this season, but arguably played his best game last week against Norwich, and one would assume he would be preferred over Mohamed Diamé. Much to the fans’ delight, Dwight Gayle is back from his injury and is in contention to start against Aston Villa. The former Crystal Palace striker has been superb this season with 20 goals and will look to celebrate after becoming a father for the first time by adding to that tally. Isaac Hayden is out for a month after undergoing an ankle surgery; Colback is expected to start again with Shelvey in midfield.
Colback has somewhat been a rogue figure this season, struggling to challenge the likes of Shelvey and Hayden for a first-team spot, it is widely viewed that he doesn’t add anything particular to Newcastle’s game. With Hayden out for a month, Tioté sold and Benítez reluctant to play Diamé in a deeper position, Colback has the opportunity to prove the doubters wrong and play a key role in the Club’s push for promotion.
Monday night will also see the Toon Army in full force; Gallowgate Flags and Wor Hyem have been instrumental this season to bring back the noise and have teamed up with the Club to make St. James’ Park a sea of black and white flags and scarves. In what used to be a regular Premier League fixture, three important points await Newcastle in what will be a Premier League atmosphere.
Potential Line-Up (4-4-1-1): Darlow • Dummett, Clark, Lascelles (C), Yedlin • Gouffran, Colback, Shelvey, Ritchie • Pérez • Gayle
Preferred Line-Up (4-4-1-1): Darlow • Dummett, Clark, Lascelles (C), Yedlin • Atsu, Diamé, Shelvey, Ritchie • Pérez • Gayle
