Newcastle United will be looking to all but secure their Premier League safety against an out-of-sorts Aston Villa side tonight. Villa’s own struggling hardship is visible within their grim reading of current form, having not registered a Premier League victory within the last league seven games.
Can Jack Grealish Provide the Magic For Aston Villa Against Newcastle United?
How the Two Teams Fare
The Magpies looked in inspired form on Sunday, sweeping aside Sheffield United 3-0 who’s pinnacle efforts have seen them fly high in the table. Joelinton who has struggled for goals this season was also in on the act scoring a much-needed goal, that may help us see a more progressively confident striker. Should Newcastle continue to start the Premier League resumption, with the intent-full and energetic projection they showed on Sunday then they can maybe look ahead to a top-half finish.
The Villans found themselves with very limited ball-playing opportunities; by been sluggish and complacent with ball retention. Dean Smith will want to get them firing, especially with daunting games against Liverpool and Manchester United coming up.
Team News
Newcastle may feel the need to make no changes given the nature of the outstanding qualities showcased against Sheffield United. Villa will be hoping that John McGinn will regain his match sharpness having only played two matches in six months. Therefore may drop the Scottish international, to ensure a fully fit McGinn is raring to go for the final showdown. Trezeguet, Mbwana Samatta and Marvellous Nakamba will all be pushing for starts, where Smith may feel the need to make the most of their squad.
Jack Grealish is the Key
If Jack Grealish can get going then this may surge the rest of the team to raise their own performance levels; providing positive morale is occupied to give them a chance of staying up.
The midfielder has unimpressed in the first two games since the restart, with Villa needing a quick turnaround in form to prolong a sustainable chance to beat the drop. Should the skipper work his magic, then it may just be the urgent probing mechanism needed to get them going.
Game Permutations
Newcastle are currently placed on 38 points and have a healthy 11 point advantage from the drop. They are now only two points away from the top ten. The incentive being to attempt to break into it should they beat Villa, then build up some momentum following on from Sunday’s match.
Villa are one point from being outside the relegation zone. Last week against the Blades, when they drew 0-0 was a missed opportunity to make their game in hand count for something. They now must quickly adapt to the turnaround, which will mean two more games with Wolves coming up at Villa Park Saturday.
Prediction
Newcastle looked strong on Sunday and it would be expected for them to see past relegation-threatened opposition. Villa know they have to be better, as if they are scrapping for every point and will have to be up for the fight to earn a viable result.
Score: 2-2
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