Premier League preview and odds: Newcastle United vs Aston Villa

Published on: 17/12/2015

Premier League preview and odds: Newcastle United vs Aston Villa

December 19, 2015 15:00pm - St. James Park

Premier League

Newcastle will be looking to continue their slow ascent of the Premier League table on Saturday when they welcome rock-bottom Aston Villa to St. James Park in the days late kick off game.

Newcastle riding high in 15th place

Newcastle United are enjoying life outside of the bottom three having discovered some form in recent weeks. The northeast club recently won to back-to-back games for the first time this season and have now risen to a lofty 15th position in the table.

Steve McClaren may not have guided his team out of the woods just yet, but there is reason for the Toon army to be optimistic going into this weekends game against the league worst team.

Last time out, the Geordies achieved their best result of the season so far by winning 2-1 away to fifth-ranked Tottenham Hotspur. Prior to that, they beat Jurgen Klopps Liverpool by two goals to nil on home soil. In total, the Tyneside club have bagged three wins in their last five fixtures.

Villa look doomed

With 12 defeats in their last 15 games and not a single victory to their name since the opening day of the season, Aston Villa look doomed. They have improved slightly under new boss Remi Garde but they do not look capable of hauling themselves out of the drop zone.

The Midland club are already eight points from safety and only have six points on the board. In fact, there is very little for the Villa fans to be positive about going into this game. With relegation looking inevitable, a January spending spree is also unlikely unless failing members of the current squad can be shipped out. Team news

Newcastle are still top of the injury table with a total of 10 players still in the treatment room including Jamal Laschelles, Massadio Haidara and Tim Krul. However, Cheik Tiote and Rolando Aarons could return this weekend.

Meanwhile, Villa are still without Micah Richards, Jordan Amavi and Gary Gardner.

Recent form (League)

Newcastle: WWLLW

Aston Villa: LDLLD

Betting odds and tips

Newcastle have lost just one of their last five home games having won two and draw two others, while Villa have lost six of their last seven away from home. Back the home win at 21/20 with Betfred.

Toon frontman Ayoze Perez is in line for a start this weekend and can be backed at 6/1 to bag the first goal with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 17/12/2015

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (17/12/2015 17:04:16) but are subject to change.