Last time out Aston Villa picked up their fourth consecutive win and their sixth in seven games against Nottingham Forest. Next up for Emery’s flying men, one of their toughest tasks yet, a Champions League chasing Newcastle United.
I spoke to Ever More NUFC Podcast to find out more about Newcastle’s incredible season.
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Newcastle have without a doubt been the team that has took the league by surprise this season. A lot of that is to do with Eddie Howe who many saw as just a transitional coach for the Geordies. Just how good is Eddie Howe?
Eddie has surpassed all expectations, not just amongst our fan base but across the footballing community. We all knew he was a bright young manager who did a phenomenal job at Bournemouth, but to go away and work on himself as a coach as he’s done & return an even better version of manager has been truly impressive.
He’s everything Bruce wasn’t (I’m sure you can relate) he’s forward thinking, engaging, innovative and everything you’d wish for in a modern day manager. Not only that as a coach he’s brilliant, what he’s done on the training pitch with the likes of Joelinton can’t and shouldn’t be understated. He’s a serious contender for manager of the year in mine & many football fans eyes.
Kieran Trippier is often heralded as Newcastle’s best player by the media and probably rightfully so. Who’s a player that perhaps isn’t given the media attention he deserves and goes under the radar?
Tripps has been sensational no doubt and rightly gets the plaudits along with Bruno, but for me the player who’s doesn’t get enough credit for his impact on the team this year is Sean Longstaff. Not only has Sean pulled himself back from the brink of leaving the club under the previous poor management, he’s clearly taken on board Eddie’s philosophy and it shows on his game & his mentality. He’s become an integral part of this squad & it’s great to see a local lad do so well too. Long may it continue.
Newcastle look to be in pole position to gain their first Champions League place in several years. Having said that, it’s not going to be easy with the likes of Man United, Spurs and Brighton all competing for just two spaces. What do you make of your chances of getting Champions League? Will it seem like a failure if you miss out?
I think no matter what happens we’ve had a phenomenal season. To be here from where we were last has been a monumental effort by Eddie & the lads. I feel we’re the most in form side in amongst that race & without the distraction of European football we can really focus on the league & that shows. I believe we will finish top 4, but if we don’t it will a bit of a disappointment given how long we’ve been up there but no matter what I believe we’ll finish the season with European football which can only be seen as success & progress in our black & white eyes.
Finally, what’s your score predictions?
Villa have really picked up under Emery & it will be one of our toughest games in the run in. I’m going for 1-1 draw.
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OPPOSITION FOCUS | HOW GOOD IS HOWE?
As Aston Villa’s European push charges on, Saturday represents arguably their toughest challenge yet. Since Newcastle’s takeover last season, the Magpies have built from strength to strength and have paved their way into the Champions League.
If Villa hope to follow Newcastle into Europe, this is a must-win fixture.
In this Opposition Focus I’ll be looking at how Eddie Howe has transformed this Newcastle side and pushed into third. I’ll be taking a look at the Geordie’s style of play, strengths and how they can be exploited.
The Geordies have achieved their success so far this season in a very simple way. Eddie Howe has instilled a clear and effective style of play within his group of players which all of his team have bought into. And if they don’t? Well just ask Ryan Fraser who has found himself dropped into the reserves.
So we’ve established that Eddie Howe has established a distinct style of play for Newcastle, but what is it? Well first and foremost the idea of Eddie Howe’s playing style places attacking football as a priority. Howe likes his players to control the game in a similar way to how Emery controls the game.
The difference is, Howe wants his team to control the ball in the opposition’s half. Emery on the other hand likes to build from the back and keep the ball in his own half. That’s not where the differences end, Howe encourages his attackers to take several shots, Emery believes in fewer chances but being clinical in putting them away. It’s worked well so far.
Despite Newcastle’s attacking emphasis, their defensive play has been absolutely superb and the best in the league. 21 goals conceded in 29 games is an impressive feat. It has to be said that a lot of that has come from he consistency in Howe’s team selection. Well that and Kieran Trippier’s excellence of course.
So Newcastle’s style of play and the contrast to that of Emery’s sets up a very interesting match on Saturday. It feels like this has been said a lot, but this will truly show Emery where this team is at and how we can improve to get Europe.
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MY PREDICTION
Unfortunately, this is without a doubt going to be the toughest match Villa will have in their very tough run in. Fortunately, and very telling of how far we’ve come, Newcastle fans feel the same about us. Normally, I’d back Villa to get three points on account of wanting it all. I can’t do that this time round because Newcastle want Champions League just as much as we want Europe.
What I can do however, is predict Villa to get three points based off playing ability because under Emery I believe we can take on anyone. This will be the most telling game of our season and I can’t wait for it. I’m going to predict a 2-1 win for Villa in front of a rocking, sunny Villa Park.
AUTHOR | ELLIS BURNETT
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