Newcastle vs Aston Villa: A Series That Keeps Swinging

Newcastle’s 3-1 win at Aston Villa in the FA Cup in February is the most recent meeting between these sides, and it fits a rivalry that has refused to settle. Both clubs were on the road when they took their most recent points, and neither has yet found the kind of rhythm that would make this Saturday feel one-sided.

Two sides still searching for consistency

Newcastle sit 11th in the Premier League with eight points from six matches. Aston Villa are 16th on five points, with a goal difference of minus five against Newcastle’s minus three. The gap is not large, but it reflects how uneven both campaigns have been so far.

Attacking output and leaky defences

Newcastle have scored eight goals in their last five league and cup matches, but they have also conceded 11, which points to a side that trades goals for chances at both ends. Villa have been tighter at the back recently, letting in seven, yet they have managed only six of their own, an average of just over one a game.

Newcastle’s season form reads DWDLWL, while Villa’s reads LLDLWD. Newcastle have been hard to beat at St James’ Park this season, collecting six points from three home games, while Villa have yet to win away from home in their last three visits to a ground… more precisely, Villa have one away win from three and two home defeats from three.

The head-to-head: wins on the road

The last five meetings have produced two wins apiece and a 0-0 draw, with both sides scoring seven goals. Newcastle won 3-0 at home in December 2024, Villa replied with a 4-1 win in April 2025, and the August 2025 fixture finished goalless at Villa Park… this was played at Villa’s ground, and the sides shared the points.

The two most recent results are the most telling. Villa won 2-0 at Newcastle in January, and Newcastle returned the favour with a 3-1 win at Villa in February. The away side has won both of those meetings, a sign that neither home advantage nor reputation has decided this fixture.

Team news

Newcastle will be without A. Elanga, who is out with a knee injury, and E. Jaouen, sidelined by a muscle problem. V. Livramento, J. Ramsey and B. Toure are all doubtful with injuries.

Aston Villa have a longer list of absentees. G. Hemmings (knee), I. Maatsen (ankle), A. Onana (knee) and M. Ruggeri are all missing, while R. Barkley and I. Mbaye are doubts.

Our prediction

We expect Newcastle to edge this one 2-1. Their home record this season and their willingness to create chances make them the more likely side to find the decisive goal, even though Villa’s injury problems are not dramatically different from Newcastle’s. Villa will have to be sharper at the back than they have been lately if they are to take anything from St James’ Park.