Credit: Imago

Dakir Thanveer

Fri 18 April 2025 17:51, UK

Jamie Carragher has high expectations of the Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Newcastle on Saturday.

Aston Villa will look to put the disappointment of crashing out of the UEFA Champions League when they host Newcastle at Villa Park on 19 April.

There is also a lot riding on the game, as the two top-five contenders go head to head. A win could see the Villans go as high as fourth in the table and reduce the gap with Eddie Howe’s side to two points.

The Birmingham-based club, though, will be wary of the threats posed by Newcastle, who have won each of their last five league games, while also beating Liverpool in the EFL Cup during that period.

Carragher makes Aston Villa v Newcastle prediction

Aston Villa will be positive about their chances of claiming all three points against Newcastle, having themselves won each of their last four league matches.

This is why Carragher expects the clash between Villa and Newcastle to be the best game of the weekend, with the Sky Sports pundit hoping for goals at both ends.

Expressing his excitement for the match, Carragher predicted that the teams would ultimately play out a 2-2 draw and share the spoils.

“Villa vs Newcastle will be the game of the weekend, I expect goals at both ends”, Carragher wrote in his prediction for Sky Sports’ Super6.

Emery must take advantage of Howe’s absence

Newcastle will notably be without Howe when they visit Villa Park on Saturday, as the English tactician has been diagnosed with pneumonia.

Howe missed the Magpies’ victories over Manchester United and Crystal Palace, and is yet to recover from his illness.

This means Tindall will be in charge of the Tyneside-based club against Aston Villa this weekend.

Emery must look to take advantage of Howe’s absence, but that is not to say Tindall is not capable.

The St. James’ Park outfit have notably scored nine goals and conceded just one in their last two games.