Aston Villa vs Newcastle United verdict, predicted score, key stats and suggested bets

Premier League, Saturday, April 15, Kick-off 12:30pm, live on BT Sport

Both teams to score

Newcastle United top the form table with five consecutive victories.

Aston Villa have scored in 13 of their 15 home matches.

Newcastle have lost just twice (to Man City and Liverpool) on their travels this season.

Matty Cash (calf), Boubacar Kamara (foot) and Philippe Coutinho (thigh) all missed the game against Nottingham Forest and aren't expected to be fit in time.

Leon Bailey left the pitch after just 28 minutes against Forest and Unai Emery is expected to provide an update on his condition during Thursday's press conference.

Miguel Almiron (thigh) is targeting a return against Tottenham next week, while Emil Krafth (knee) is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

Despite their newfound wealth and lofty ambitions, few people expected Newcastle United to compete for a Champions League spot this season.

When the Public Investment Fund took control of Newcastle United in October 2021, the team were winless through eight games and propped up the Premier League table.

Those struggles continued despite the appointment of Eddie Howe in early November and it wasn't until December when Newcastle picked up their first win, beating Burnley 1-0.

Fortunes barely improved but a scrappy 1-0 win at Elland Road on January 22 was the turning point. The Toon started to fly up the Premier League table with six wins in seven.

Since that victory at Leeds, only Arsenal and Man City have amassed more points than Howe's Newcastle. United have earned 27 wins and 12 draws from 47 matches and currently top the Premier League form table.

Aston Villa may not have planned on reaching Europe this season, but their scintillating form under Unai Emery means they are just six points behind an inconsistent Tottenham Hotspur side in the race for fifth.

Ollie Watkins has been central to Aston Villa's improving form with nine goals in his last 11 games. His form is likely to earn him an England call-up in the near future and it could help Aston Villa secure a triumphant return to Europe.

The Villans have won six of their last seven in all competitions and three consecutive matches at Villa Park, but they'll have to be at their best if they are to breach the league's stingiest backline.

Just 21 goals conceded makes Newcastle the best defence in the league, but they have saved their best work for St James' Park this season, where they have kept eight of their 13 clean sheets.

Villa's record of having scored in 13 of their 15 Premier League matches at home certainly suggests that they'll be able to put Newcastle under some pressure and recent form also suggests they might crack.

Newcastle have conceded in 11 of their last 12 matches in all competitions, with the only exception being their 2-0 victory against Manchester United. Therefore, it wouldn't be a surprise to see both sides find the net and serve up a tasty lunchtime treat.