Chris Sutton hails ‘unbelievably good’ duo as he predicts Aston Villa vs Newcastle United

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Chris Sutton is expecting a ‘cracking game’ between Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

It should be a match brimming with quality. Both sides are exceptional, with Villa narrowly falling short in the Champions League to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night.

A day later, Eddie Howe’s side made it six wins on the bounce as Newcastle United beat Crystal Palace. In truth, they annihilated the Eagles.

Newcastle United were scintillating at St James’ Park, as they moved up to third in the Premier League. The Magpies have so much momentum right now, and Chris Sutton believes they will continue to ride that wave on Saturday evening at Villa Park.

Chris Sutton predicts Aston Villa vs Newcastle United

As part of his Premier League predictions for BBC Sport, Chris Sutton has given his verdict on Aston Villa vs Newcastle United.

While Paul Merson has predicted a draw between the two sides, Alan Shearer’s old strike partner believes it will be Newcastle who come out on top.

“Newcastle are the Premier League’s momentum monsters, especially since winning the Carabao Cup, but their excellent form goes back further than that,” he said.

“Seventh-placed Aston Villa are also in great shape, on a run of four successive league wins, and although they lost the tie overall, they were sensational in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Paris St-Germain.

“Villa’s comeback on the night, to win 3-2 after falling 2-0 down, took me by surprise but they really showed what they are made of. I think PSG will win this season’s Champions League, but Villa pushed them all the way.

“This is going to be a cracking game, and also a feisty one with what is at stake in the top-five race. Who or what decides it might come down to fine margins, and who makes the most of their chances, because both teams are going to get opportunities.

“Villa will score, whoever they play up top, although maybe they should take Marco Asensio off penalties. He missed two spot-kicks last weekend against Southampton after I told everyone to watch out for him on the Fantasy 606 pod, which sums up my FPL season and predicting ability in one fell swoop.

“You could make an argument for both teams here, but I am going with Newcastle, because of how good they were when I watched them at St James’ Park on Wednesday to beat Palace 5-0.

“Harvey Barnes was electric, just unbelievably good down the left, and the same goes for Jacob Murphy on the other flank – his opening goal was absolutely amazing, because who shoots from there?

“With those two playing the way they are, Newcastle are going to keep on winning.”

Sutton’s prediction: Aston Villa 1 Newcastle United 2

Newcastle United’s recent record against Aston Villa

With Champions League football on the line between two excellent sides, this has the makings of a brilliant fixture.

Eddie Howe will be absent again, meaning Jason Tindall will take charge of the Magpies for the third game in a row. But they will be full of confidence given their recent form, while this is a fixture that Newcastle have done very well in over recent years.

Newcastle United have won five of their last seven games against Saturday’s opponents. Villa have won two of the last seven, with both of their wins coming at Villa Park.

The Magpies did beat Villa away last season. In fact, it was probably their best performance away from home during a season in which they struggled on the road. The Magpies won 3-1, with Fabian Schar scoring a brace.

In fact, the last three meetings have resulted in convincing victories for Newcastle. They won 5-1 at St James’ Park in August 2023, with Sandro Tonali forcing Toon fans to fall in love with him on his debut.

Earlier this season, Newcastle beat Aston Villa 3-0 on Boxing Day. That game is best remembered for Jhon Duran’s red card.

Throughout history, Newcastle and Aston Villa have met 174 times. Newcastle have had the better of the fixture, winning 76, losing 59 and drawing 39.