BUILD-UP
Aston Villa face Newcastle United at St. James Park up next in the Premier League, on the back of their enthralling midweek 3-3 draw with Leeds United.
This fixture is the second time these two meet each-other this season, with the match-week two game at Villa Park finishing 2-0 to the home side, in a game that saw an acrobatic Danny Ings goal and a second-half Anwar El Ghazi penalty enough to take all three points.
Steven Gerrard will be hoping for a reaction from his team on Sunday afternoon, particularly on the defensive side of things, after losing a 3-1 lead in their recent tie. Costly mistakes were abundant throughout the 90 minutes, and an Ezri Konsa red card late on put the cherry on top of a really disappointing back-line showing from the Villans.
There were a number of positives from the game however, stemming primarily from the midfield area, with Philippe Coutinho and Jacob Ramsey stealing the show and continuing their impressive form in front of goal. Coutinho has two goals and two assists in his three appearances since signing on loan from FC Barcelona in January, and his offensive partnership with young Jacob Ramsey has not only earned himself a place back in the Brazil national squad, but has restored his enjoyment back to the beautiful game.
Ramsey’s name has also been on the lips of many Premier League fans over the past few weeks, as the country begin to realise the 20 year-old’s ability and potential. The number 41 has been linked with a possible call-up to the England national team for next month’s friendly fixtures, and is believed to be “on the radar” of boss Gareth Southgate after excellent recent form.
This week’s opponents, Newcastle United, find themselves just outside of the relegation zone (17th) after a good run of games that has seen the Magpies avoid defeat in each of their last four league games, winning two and drawing two. In their most recent of the four, Eddie Howe’s side came back from a goal down to beat fellow strugglers Everton by three goals to one, with Aston Villa loanee Matt Targett making his debut at left-back.
Regardless of the black and whites recent form, Steven Gerrard will be hopeful of taking the three points back to Villa Park and get back to winning ways. Can Aston Villa end their 17 year winless streak on Tyneside, or will Newcastle United make it three wins on the trot and continue their surge to safety?
TEAM NEWS
Aston Villa could be without a number of key players against Newcastle United, after being forced into a couple of injury-induced changes in their recent battle with Leeds United. Ezri Konsa will miss the game after his red card in mid-week, which will also rule him out of the following game against Watford at Villa Park, due to this being his second suspension of the campaign (sent-off in match-week 10 against West Ham United).
Emiliano Buendia looks set to miss the game after receiving a hip injury which ended his night early on Wednesday. Gerrard had the following to say on the little Argentine: “He’s certainly a big doubt right now, but we’re hoping with some treatment and some good recovery days that maybe he’s got an outside chance.” Buendia will be a big miss for Villa in the attacking areas, especially given his recent form which crowned him the club’s January player of the month. It is expected that either Carney Chukwuemeka or Morgan Sanson will replace the no. 10 for Sunday’s game.
Philippe Coutinho was another that was taken off due to injury in the recent game, but the Brazilian’s condition is believed to be less severe than Buendia’s, with Steven Gerrard confirming he was withdrawn through cramp and fatigue. The boss gave the following update on the little magician: “Phil’s fine. He got a bit of cramp in a few different areas and he tired a lot – he gave a lot to the game. In terms of being available for Newcastle, I’m sure he’ll be fine with a couple of recovery days.”
Leon Bailey could make his first match-day squad under Steven Gerrard on Sunday, with the Jamaican now pain-free on the grass and with a week or two of full training sessions under his belt. Gerrard confirms the winger is “nearing a return”, and adds “We need to keep him fit and healthy from now until the end of the season because he’s a big player.”, when discussing the no. 31’s importance within the side.
Elsewhere, Bertrand Traore has picked up yet another muscular injury (hamstring) that looks to keep him out of action for several weeks. The winger has been sidelined for a large part of the season through various different injuries and niggles, but after an injury-free run of games in the Africa Cup of Nations, the Burkino Faso forward appeared to be back to full health and ready to contribute at club level. Unfortunately, his return to the side will once again be delayed as his unfortunate injury-ridden 21/22 campaign continues.
Aside from this, there does not appear to be any more injury issues, and the rest of the squad is in contention for a seat on the bus for the long journey up to the Tyneside, bar, of course, Marvelous Nakamba, who will miss most of the remaining games.
This week’s opponents, Newcastle United, have a number of injury concerns themselves, including that of star right-back Kieran Tripper, who is touch-and-go for kick-off, facing a late fitness test for his inclusion on Sunday. The England international has settled well into the Newcastle camp, and won the headlines in the week after his superb free-kick goal took the game away from Everton, and helped the Magpies to a vital three points at the bottom.
Matt Targett is unavailable for selection for Eddie Howe, as he is of course playing against his parent club. The left-back made a good impression on his debut, but his absence will leave a big hole in the Magpies’ defence due to injuries to other names who typically occupy that area of the field.
The black and whites have a long list of individuals who face longer sentences in the injury room, including the likes of Callum Wilson, Federico Fernandez, Isaac Hayden, Jamal Lewis and Matt Ritchie. Full-back Paul Dummett is a doubt for the game too, with the Welsh international currently recovering from a calf injury that kept him out of the game against Everton.
There are a number of star names that Steven Gerrard and Aston Villa will have to look out for within the Newcastle side, including the tricky Allan Saint-Maximin who can terrorise any defender in the league when he is on form. The new front man Chris Wood will be a tough physical test for the Villa central defenders, and record-signing Bruno Guimaraes is also one to keep an eye on in the middle of the park.
THE OPPOSITION
Up next for Steven Gerrard and Aston Villa is Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United side who sit just outside of the relegation zone in 17th, but in good form and spirits after their hectic January transfer window that saw them bring in Chris Wood, Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes and Matt Targett (on loan).
It has taken some time for the Magpies to adjust to life after Steve Bruce, with new boss Eddie Howe demanding more from his side both on the training ground and in games, but it seems as if things are starting to click for the black and whites. There appears to be more of an identity about the way the team sets up and plays, with the approach seemingly working for the Tyneside team after a resurgence in results and league position.
Newcastle fans were far from pleased with the football played under former boss Steve Bruce, and many were happy to see the vintage manager depart once the new owners took charge. The managerial switch has been effective thus far, and there is a growing feel-good factor around St James Park evidenced both on the pitch and in the stands.
Out of possession, Eddie Howe likes his side to sit deep and narrow to block out any danger from the central areas, ultimately alleviating offensive pressure to the wings. From here, teams are typically forced into crossing the ball into the box, which plays right into the hands of the Magpies, utilising the aerial capabilities of both Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar who can clear the ball from here.
Jonjo Shelvey plays a significant part in the midfield for Newcastle, as he is the man that sits deepest out of the three, and possesses a fine range of passing that is often exploited when initiating counter-attacks. Joelinton has recently dropped deeper into a midfield position after being deployed in a more attacking position for most of his Newcastle career, and has since blossomed into one of their most crucial players. The Brazilian’s work rate and physicality makes him extremely effective off the ball, whilst his technical and attacking abilities are made use of when the team is in possession also.
A lot of Newcastle United’s offensive play stems through winger Allan Saint-Maximin who, on the counter-attack particularly, is a serious threat with his sheer pace and skills which, more often than not, are successful and help him to outwit and beat the opposing defenders. Eddie Howe likes his team to play wide and stretch the pitch to get the best out of his wingers and full-backs who see a lot of the ball, hence their significant role in chance creation and build-up play.
It goes without saying that Newcastle United boast a different threat to most in the league, and their reliance upon Saint-Maximin can often be used against them. However, Eddie Howe has had quite the impact on his side and has brought the best out of many individuals, helping to create danger from other areas of the team.
It is a different Newcastle United side from the last time Aston Villa faced them, and whilst they aren’t the full package, Steven Gerrard and his claret and blues will certainly have to be wary of the threats and bring their ‘A-game’ to St James Park if they are to attain the three points that they crave.
FINAL THOUGHTS
A few weeks/months ago I would have said this would be a relatively tame fixture for Aston Villa, and one they should be taking three points from with a degree of ease, but since Eddie Howe’s appointment and the influx of players in the January transfer window, Newcastle United are a different outfit. The Magpies look invigorated, hungry and driven to rid themselves of the relegation scrap they have found themselves in all season. The new owners have bred new life into the squad and the fans, and there seems to be a real sense of togetherness throughout the club and the city as a collective – something that worries me heading into this game.
With that being said however, the atmosphere around Villa Park since the introduction of Steven Gerrard and the new players that Villa brought in are just as significant, and the connection between team and fans is at an all time high. St James Park is an extremely tough place to visit though, as Aston Villa have found out over the years, and when the place is rocking, it can be quite the spectacle.
Yet I believe the Villa boys have enough in them to get the three points on the day. We have seen this squad show outstanding character numerous times not just this season, but over the past few, and with that I can see our quality prevailing and help us over the line for a victory on Tyneside.
Steven Gerrard will demand a far-more water-tight defense and rigid team shape to alleviate the pressure and block the gaps that Leeds United utilised for their three goals in midweek. Also, Ollie Watkins/Danny Ings will have a point to prove after their respective goal droughts, and other individuals will look to find their lost form.
Let’s hazard a guess at 2-1 to the Villa boys, with Jacob Ramsey to continue his fine scoring form, and Danny Ings to grab a much needed goal to win the tie. I think it will be a real gritty, cagey affair, with Newcastle United having it all to play for, and Aston Villa with this willingness to prove themselves within the league and climb the league table. Come on boys!
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Liam.
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