Newcastle vs Aston Villa prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2022-10-28 14:00.
Just over a year after their change of ownership, Newcastle United are in dreamland, sitting pretty inside the Premier League (PL) top four after 12 matches. It’s been 11 years since the Magpies enjoyed a better start to a top-flight season (W5, D6, L1), eventually going on to finish fifth under Alan Pardew, and the Tyneside faithful are daring to dream of Europe once again. Victory over Tottenham Hotspur last time out made it four wins from the last five, a run of form that only league leaders Arsenal and champions Manchester City can match.
The defence has been a major reason for their success as Newcastle have conceded a league-low ten goals so far. The improved atmosphere at St James’ Park has played its part too, as only Liverpool have beaten Eddie Howe’s men on home soil this calendar year (W10, D4). Another victory here could move the Toon into third if results elsewhere go their way, a position they’ve not occupied at this stage of the season since 1996/97 under Kevin Keegan.
After a turbulent start to the campaign for Aston Villa (W3, D3, L6), the clouds have started to clear this week with a 4-0 demolition of Brentford followed by the news of Unai Emery’s imminent arrival as the club’s new manager. The Spaniard won’t be in place until after their trip to the North East though, leaving caretaker manager Aaron Danks in charge to attempt to oversee successive victories for the first time this season.
Villa remain one of seven PL sides yet to win on the road so far this season, scoring just three goals from their six away games. Travelling to Newcastle is hardly likely to inspire confidence among the visiting supporters, as they haven’t seen their side come out victorious on Tyneside since April 2005 (D6, L8 since).
Players to watch: Newcastle full-back Kieran Trippier scored the winner in the most recent H2H, part of an unbeaten record against Villa throughout his career (W3, D1). He’ll be charged with stopping Danny Ings, who returned to form with a brace against Brentford, part of a run of six consecutive goalscoring appearances without defeat (W6).
Hot stat: Newcastle have conceded 80% of their PL goals this season after half-time.