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Match Previews

Predicted Newcastle Line Up vs Villa

10 years ago
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Match Preview Newcastle v Aston Villa
Sunday 23 February 1.30pm

A real clash of the form teams here.

Newcastle go into Sunday’s match with a dismal record of only one win in their last nine competitive matches.

While Villa have two wins in their last thirteen games.

This has all the hallmarks of a classic…

The visiting team’s two wins were a topsy turvy 4-3 derby win against local rivals West Brom, plus a real battle between two desperate teams saw the Villains beat the meackems on new year’s day on Wearside.

Benteke was a real man in demand in the summer but since then has suffered a bad case of second season, he ended up being left out of the team but has since improved and is easily Villa’s top scorer with a measly eight goals.

United’s dominance performance at Villa Park in September is now a distant memory, for no one more so than Hatem Ben Arfa who followed up a brilliant winner in the home game against Fulham by posting a brilliant man of the match performance as well as a goal and  an assist.

Sadly, for both player and fans, we are unlikely to see Ben Arfa in the starting eleven on Sunday.

It was reported that Ben Arfa was one of the main targets for Alan Pardew’s fury after the Tottenham debacle, the blame for the Frenchman’s fall from grace and lack of form (and fitness?) no doubt shared between Hatem and the manger & his coaching team.

With the limitations of Pardew’s squad, thanks to Mike Ashley’s disastrous starving the squad of reinforcements, ruthlessly exposed in recent matches – Pardew will be massively relieved to see hopefully all three of his key missing men return.

Remy returns from suspension, while Tiote and Coloccini should be back from their respective injuries.

After acknowledging the fans were sick of hearing his excuses – especially over injuries, Alan Pardew has pledged not to use such excuses any more.

If these three return after Gouffran and Debuchy’s earlier comeback against Spurs, then the Newcastle manager will really have reached the end of the line with his excuses.

I’m guessing Coloccini in for Taylor and Tiote back into the middle, a combination of his return as well as Remy, should see Sammy Ameobi drop out, with Anita maybe very lucky to stay in the team.

While there was a very public falling out between Pardew and Davide Santon over hos Spurs performance and the player reportedly left after being substituted, I can see the manager giving him another chance.

I really fancy Pardew to keep Papiss Cisse in the team, as while he has had a nightmare season he did at least look back to full fitness against Spurs, even though there was precious little to talk about in front of goal, largely down to poor service.

However, in our current squad, to me it makes every bit of sense to have our three most likely goal scorers; Remy, Gouffran and Cisse, on the pitch to try and remedy this atrocious record of failing to score in seven of our last eight Premier League matches.

The other part of this equation is it will at least take Luuk de Jong out of the firing line after a tough introduction of coming on at two down against the mackems and then facing thankless tasks against Chelsea and Spurs. Ideally, he will be able to come on from the subs bench with United two or three up….

For me there is no alternative but for Pardew and Newcastle to give this a real go from the first whistle, get the first goal and the confidence will build. Sit back and hope to sneak a lead and things could really go bad for manager, players and fans.

Betting – Remy First Scorer 5/1 – Tiote to be carded 2/1 – Coloccini man of the match 20/1

To view all Newcastle v Villa betting click HERE (Prices can fluctuate up and down)

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