Aston Villa vs Newcastle United

The two sides that experienced similar fortunes on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season will lock horns at Villa Park as Aston Villa take on Newcastle United.

Aston Villa’s life after Jack Grealish has started with a whimper rather than a bang, as they succumbed to a 3-2 reverse at newly-promoted Watford on the opening weekend. A goal-friendly affair at Vicarage Road ties in with Villa’s recent tendency to attain high-scoring events, with each of their last four Premier League fixtures now seeing over 2.5 goals and both teams on the scoresheet. Dean Smith’s men concluded the 2020/21 season with a 2-1 home triumph over Chelsea, and if football does follow the script, they could win another one here. Indeed, Villa last won back-to-back home Premier League matches in January, with the second success in that run coming at the expense of Newcastle. Notably, after netting precisely two goals in each of their last four Premier League outings, the ‘Villans’ could now score over 1.5 goals per top-flight match for the first time since January 2008.

On the other hand, Newcastle United wasted a 2-1 half-time lead against West Ham United last time out, eventually losing that encounter 4-2 on home turf. Taking the 2020/21 season into account, none of Newcastle’s last six Premier League fixtures have ended level (W3, L3), with four of those games won/lost yielding a full-time margin of 2+ goals. Seeking back-to-back victories in their first away Premier League matches since 1994/95 and 1995/96, the ‘Magpies’ can rely on a stellar form on the road down the final stretch of last season. Steve Bruce’s men racked up a four-game unbeaten away streak to complete the 2020/21 campaign (W3, D1), notably scoring 2+ goals in each victory. After beating Leicester City and Fulham in their last two Premier League trips, Newcastle entertain the prospect of posting three consecutive away wins in England’s top-flight for the first time since November 2001.