Aston Villa vs Newcastle predictions: Expect more fireworks at Villa Park
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- Aston Villa are out of the Champions League despite a 3-2 second-leg win
- Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes have scored seven goals in their last three league matches
- Recommended bet: Over 3.5 goals
Aston Villa fell just short of an amazing comeback in Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain, winning 3-2 on the night but going out 5-4 on aggregate.
Villa's focus now switches to qualifying for next season's Champions League and they host top-five rivals Newcastle in a fascinating Premier League clash on Saturday.
The Magpies have charged up the table into third place after thrashing Manchester United 4-1 and Crystal Palace 5-0 and they are primed to take advantage of any potential European hangover for Villa.
Team news
Aston Villa have no reported injury concerns as Leon Bailey is fit again. Right-back Andres Garcia and winger Donyell Malen, who were ineligible to play in the Champions League, are available.
Newcastle United are missing injured defenders Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles and Lewis Hall.
Jason Tindall is likely to be in charge of the Magpies as manager Eddie Howe continues his recovery from pneumonia.
The stats
Six of Aston Villa's last seven Premier League games produced over 2.5 goals.
Villa have lost only one of their last 25 league and cup matches at Villa Park.
Four of Villa's last six wins have been by a 3-0 scoreline.
Newcastle have won their last six matches in all competitions.
The Magpies have been leading at half-time and full-time in four of their last five games.
There have been over 3.5 goals in 10 of Newcastle's last 19 Premier League matches.
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Prediction
Things were looking bleak for Aston Villa when they trailed PSG 5-1 on aggregate early in Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg at Villa Park.
However, Unai Emery's men hit back in fine style with goals from Youri Tielemans, John McGinn and Ezri Konsa and they should be in good spirits going into their Premier League game against Newcastle.
Over 3.5 goals looks well worth conssidering as both teams are in excellent scoring form.
Villa's attacking depth was illustrated by the fact that Emery brought on Ollie Watkins, Marco Asensio, Jacob Ramsey and Ross Barkley as substitutes against PSG.
Newcastle, meanwhile, have beaten Leicester 3-0, Manchester United 4-1 and Crystal Palace 5-0 in their last three games, surging up to third in the table.
It is notable that star striker Alexander Isak has scored only one of the Magpies' 12 goals in those victories as wingers Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy have hogged the headlines.
Villa have an outstanding home record this season. Since August's 2-0 league defeat to Arsenal, they have suffered only one loss in 25 games at Villa Park – a 2-1 Carabao Cup reverse against Palace.
But in-form Newcastle, buoyed by their Carabao Cup final triumph against Liverpool, are unlikely to take a backward step so a high-scoring contest is on the cards on Saturday.
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