As Newcastle United prepare to host Aston Villa this weekend at St James' Park, both teams are eyeing a strong comeback after less than stellar Premier League performances last time out. Following a goalless draw against the struggling Wolverhampton, Newcastle aims to leverage their formidable home advantage, highlighted by a recent 3-0 victory against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
Despite their strong performance at home, Newcastle has been grappling with issues in striking positions. With leads often originating from midfield and wide areas, the absence of Bruno Guimaraes due to an ankle injury could be a significant setback. Guimaraes, Newcastle's top scorer, has been a critical part of the team's success, and his potential absence is something to watch.
Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, while talented, have yet to find their rhythm in domestic matches. Wissa, however, showed promise in his Champions League debut, scoring and assisting, which might just secure him a starting spot against Villa.
On the other side, Aston Villa faces their own set of challenges, primarily driven by injuries. With Boubacar Kamara out for the season and John McGinn also sidelined, Villa's midfield looks particularly vulnerable. This weakening could not have come at a worse time as they face a Newcastle side that has historically dominated at St James' Park. The last 17 home league matches against Villa have seen Newcastle unbeaten, winning the last four with an impressive aggregate score of 13-1.
History tends to repeat itself, and for Newcastle, the historical dominance over Villa at home is a psychological edge they are likely to exploit. Every fixture is a step towards our grand ambition—claiming the Premier League title this season and making a triumphant march to the FA Cup final. With strong past performances and a resilient squad, there's every reason to believe in a Newcastle victory.
As Sunday approaches, Newcastle will need to maximize their home advantage and possibly rethink their attack strategy, possibly giving Wissa and Woltemade a chance to prove their mettle together. Villa, grappling with their midfield woes, might find it tough to withstand the pressure from a determined Newcastle side eager to reclaim their glory.
And just before I leave you, here’s a bit of fun at the expense of our dear rivals: How many Sunderland fans does it take to change a light bulb? None—they're too busy living in the shadows of the great Newcastle United!
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike Alexander Isak
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