Aston Villa host Newcastle United in the Premier League tonight looking to end a run of three straight defeats, while the Magpies are aiming to win their third game in a row. Here’s the Big Game Focus. Bet on this game here.
Aston Villa have lost their last three Premier League games and have slipped to 17th in the table. After 12 games, they have won just three and lost seven and are staring at the relegation zone. Games against Manchester United, Leicester City and Manchester City are coming up for them and they need to get some momentum or risk being drawn into the relegation scrap.
Meanwhile, the Magpies travel to Villa Park looking to seal a third consecutive Premier League win for the first time in almost 12 months. Steve Bruce’s team have recovered from their stuttering start and have now lost just one of their last five league games, lifting them to 14th in the table. Can they get another away win?
Betting preview
Newcastle have lost four of their six away games in the league this season. However, that doesn’t tell the whole story. Three of those games have been against Man City, Leicester and Liverpool. They have won twice away from home this season, against Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham. The Magpies are unbeaten in 12 league meetings with Villa, including their last six at Villa Park. For that reason, you can back an Away Double Chance at odds of 1.65.
Both teams have scored in four of Villa’s last five league games and in Newcastle’s last three games. You can back Both Teams to Score at odds of 1.70.
There have been Over 2.5 Goals in Villa’s last five league games. Three of Newcastle’s last four league games away from home have seen three or more goals. Therefore, you can back over 2.5 Goals in this game at odds of 1.90.
Team news
Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish is expected to be back against Newcastle after four weeks out with a calf injury. Tom Heaton, Bjorn Engels and Matt Targett are also expected to be fit.
Newcastle pair Florian Lejeune and Fabian Schar are in contention to return from knee injuries, while fellow central defender Ciaran Clark could also be involved. Captain Jamaal Lascelles and winger Matt Ritchie remain sidelined.
Possible line-ups
Aston Villa: Heaton, Guilbert, Engels, Mings, Targett, Nakamba, McGinn, Grealish, El Ghazi, Trezeguet, Wesley.
Newcastle: Dubravaka, Yedlin, Fernandez, Clark, Schar, Willems, Almiron, Shelvey, Hayden, Saint-Maximin, Joelinton.