Aston Villa vs Newcastle Prediction: Villans set to deepen Magpies’ misery

The late kick-off on Tuesday night sees Eddie Howe’s struggling Newcastle side travel to Birmingham to face Aston Villa, who are looking to keep pace with league leaders Liverpool.

The Villans dropped two valuable points in a goalless draw at Everton in their last league outing and were also held to a scoreless encounter in the FA Cup at Chelsea last time out.

The Magpies were able to confirm their place in the fifth round of the tournament by defeating Fulham on Saturday, which helped put memories of their 3-2 defeat to Manchester City to rest after a Kevin De Bruyne masterclass saw City claim all three points.

Team News

Unai Emery remains without Pau Torres, Lucas Digne, John Duran, Emi Buendia and Tyrone Mings due to various injuries, while Bertrand Traore remains in the Ivory Coast with Burkina Faso after his nation qualified for the knockout stages.

Midfielder Jacob Ramsey has returned to first-team training after a spell out with a hamstring injury, but the fixture may come too soon for him to be a realistic selection.

Newcastle have been plagued by injuries throughout this campaign and remain without Nick Pope, Matt Targett, Joe Willock, Harvey Barnes, Joelinton, Elliott Anderson and Jamaal Lascelles.

However, there is some good news for the Magpies as Kieran Trippier is fit despite an ongoing groin problem, while Callum Wilson’s fitness is likely to be tested as he recovers from a calf issue.

Match Odds

Aston Villa are the favourites to claim their tenth home victory of the season at 5/6, whereas Newcastle can be backed at 12/5 to take all three points.

The draw provides odds of 11/4, while Villa striker Ollie Watkins is 4/1 to score the opening goal of the match.

Aston Villa to win @ 5/6

Villa Park has been the definition of a fortress this season for Aston Villa, with the Villans winning nine of their ten league games here and drawing the other.

This near-perfect form has played a large part in Villa’s shock title charge, with Emery’s men fourth in the table and just five points behind first place.

Meanwhile, Newcastle look like a shell of the side that finished fourth last season, with the Magpies lying in tenth place and losing each of their last four league matches.

Their form away from St. James' Park has played a major factor in their sup-par campaign, with only bottom of the table Sheffield United picking up fewer points on the road than Newcastle’s five.

Another pointless return is expected on Tuesday night, with Villa taking all three points in a comfortable victory.

Both Teams to Score - No @ 6/4 

This fixture has historically been a one-sided affair, with Villa claiming home wins to nil on each of Newcastle’s last four visits to Villa Park.

Each of Villa’s last three games in all competitions has seen at least one side fail to score, with the same being said for two of Newcastle’s last three, so the likelihood is that whoever scores first will be the victor in this encounter.

Football betting tips, from Betfred Insights.