Shay Given delivers early ‘massive’ Aston Villa vs Newcastle United prediction

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United are closing in on a return to the grandest stage around.

In the month following their historic Carabao Cup victory, Newcastle United have amassed a 100% record.

That has put them on course to qualify for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons, potentially adding another achievement onto Eddie Howe’s growing list of them.

Indeed, Newcastle are third in the Premier League and look the form team around right now. Such have been their positive results of late, it would now be a major disappointment not to see them finish in at least the top four.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	32	23	7	2	74	31	43	76
2	ArsenalArsenal	32	17	12	3	57	27	30	63
3	NewcastleNewcastle	32	18	5	9	61	40	21	59
4	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	32	17	6	9	51	38	13	57

Still, there are big games to come.

Newcastle travel to Aston Villa on Saturday evening in what looks a very difficult game. They will be without the Newcastle United manager too, as Howe is recovering from pneumonia.

Unai Emery’s side are still in contention for the top five too and proved just what an excellent team they are by impressing against French champions Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park earlier this week.

A huge game both on and off the pitch given the rivalry between the supporters, Shay Given has shared an early prediction. 

Shay Given sends message ahead of Aston Villa vs Newcastle United

The former goalkeeper used to play for both teams of course, though is more connected with the Toon Army. 

The Irishman was speaking after Newcastle’s 5-0 win over Crystal Palace, having watched his former side deliver yet another statement performance.

Still, even despite that, Given warned Newcastle that Saturday’s game is massive and that Villa boast supreme quality.

Perhaps usurpingly then, Given admitted he’d take a draw.

“Saturday is a massive game,” he told Premier League Productions. 

“Villa Park away. Aston Villa, they’re challenging for Champions League football as well.

“It’s always been a bogey ground for Newcastle. They’ve struggled there over the years, for whatever reason.

“Of course, Unai Emery, we know what a brilliant job he’s doing at Aston Villa as well. I would even take a draw sitting in here tonight, Villa Park is a tough game.” 

Aston Villa vs Newcastle United recent head to head (h2h) record

To overlook Villa would be foolish. They are an excellent team and even a Newcastle outfit in this kind of form would struggle against them at their best.

In fact, they’ve only lost once at home in the Premier League all season.

Still, the Magpies head to Villa Park in good form against the Midlands giants. Newcastle beat Villa 3-1 away last season and have won three of their last four meetings, having smashed them 3-0 at St James’ Park earlier this season.  

It’s going to be a hard game but Newcastle have reasons to believe.