Overview
Both Newcastle United and Aston Villa entered this match with excitement after the victories in the middle of the week in the European Cup, in the context of the competition for the top 5 of the Premier League becoming increasingly fierce.
Once again, these two ambitious teams aim to break the familiar order of the tournament, with Aston Villa holding a clearer advantage in the race to win tickets to the UEFA Champions League.
Newcastle has just created a great opportunity to win a straight ticket to the Champions League round of 16 this season with a convincing victory over PSV. Goals from Yoane Wissa, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes help Eddie Howe's team rise to the top 8 when the group stage is only one match away.
However, nothing is guaranteed as Newcastle is one of the 8 teams with 13 points. In the final round, they will have to play away at the home ground of defending champion Paris Saint-Germain - a challenge that could decide the entire European journey this season.
Returning to the domestic arena, Newcastle is currently ranked eighth in the Premier League table, exactly 2 points behind fifth place after a goalless draw with Wolves last weekend. However, the Northeast team is showing the most stable signs since the beginning of the season.
Newcastle started 2026 with 2 consecutive home wins against Crystal Palace and Leeds United. The last time they won 3 home matches at the beginning of the solar year was in 2012, and the opponent at that time was also Aston Villa.
Statistics further enhance confidence for the home team at St. James' Park when they are unbeaten in 17 consecutive home matches in the Premier League against Villa (11 wins, 6 draws), including winning all 4 recent matches with a total overwhelming score of 13-1.
In the opposite direction, Aston Villa is also having a memorable season. Unai Emery's team continues to maintain a solid position in the Champions League group and may even win tickets by European route.
The dramatic 1-0 victory at Fenerbahce's stadium brought Villa to the round of 16 of the Europa League, making them one of the bright candidates for the championship.
Although Everton just ended their 11-match winning streak at Villa Park, Emery's team still ranks third in the rankings, only behind Manchester City in goal difference and 8 points ahead of Manchester United.
Off-field form is Villa's big strength this season. Only Arsenal has more away points than them in the Premier League, while an average of 1.64 points per away match is Villa's best achievement since the 2009-2010 season.
However, signs of stagnation have appeared. After a 10-game winning streak with the highest finishing efficiency in the league, Villa has been goalless in the last 2 rounds, launching 33 shots but not a single successful shot against Crystal Palace and Everton.
Conversely, Newcastle is maintaining extremely good attacking efficiency at home, scoring at least 2 goals in 8 consecutive Premier League matches. If they continue to do so this weekend, they will re-establish an unprecedented record since 1932.
Eddie Howe is also facing a memorable personal milestone. Another victory will help him reach the 136-match Premier League record, equaling Roy Hodgson's record and only behind Harry Redknapp and Sam Allardyce among English coaches.
Head-to-head record
Newcastle is clearly dominant when hosting Aston Villa at home. "The Magpies" have won 11 of the last 17 times against Villa in the Premier League, drawn the remaining 6 matches, of which the last 4 wins all took place with a large difference, totaling 12 more goals than the opponent.
In the most recent encounter between the two teams, they drew 0-0 at Villa Park in August. Not long before that, Aston Villa had made a strong impression with a 4-1 victory at home in the final stage of last season.
Score prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Aston Villa
The match between Newcastle and Aston Villa takes place at 9:00 PM on January 25 (Vietnam time).
