Martin O’Neill is looking at 3 points against Newcastle to top a great week that saw Villa draw against Arsenal and win against Reading. This is a new Villa but the team remains the same, lets hope with O’Neill at the helm they can start to reverse the history with Villa only winning 2 of 13 Premiership clashes at Villa Park (Newcastle 6 wins, 5 draws).
Vital Quotes:
Martin O’Neill said: ‘It’s been a really good week. It was just fantastic to win the game on Wednesday and great to have the crowd behind us. Now we’ve got a big game on Sunday. I’ve been absolutely delighted with the team. They’ve put everything in to the game and, just from effort alone, it’s great for them to get something out of it.’ Adding ‘…there’s more to come I think and hopefully on Sunday we’ll prove that. I’m looking forward to this game and we should be set for another terrific atmosphere.’
Nolberto Solano said: ‘I really don’t know where that booing came from last season. I was honest when I was an Aston Villa player and I always did my best for them, just like I will be doing my best for Newcastle United tomorrow. I don’t know if I will get the same tomorrow, but what I do know is that all my concentration will be going on try to help a Newcastle win. And while we are know it will be a tough game for us, it is also a very important one for us as we try to keep our run going.’
Liam Ridgewell said: ‘The Premiership is sorry to see the back of Alan Shearer but, trust me, defenders definitely aren’t. Playing up against him, I appreciate how much of a quality forward he was. He is one of the best players the Premiership has ever produced because his goalscoring ability has been phenomenal.
Aston Villa Team News:
Jlloyd Samuel is a doubt with a thigh injury he picked up mid-week, Peter Whittingham, who set up the winning goal after replacing Jlloyd, is set to replace the left back again. Mark Delaney could return following a bug but Wilfred Bouma and Gary Cahill are still out.
Aston Villa (from): Sorensen, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Samuel, Whittingham, Davis, Barry, McCann, Agbonlahor, Moore, Angel, Taylor, Laursen, Hendrie, Delaney, Jumper-Jumper.
Player to watch: Gareth Barry
A perfect game against Reading, he is starting to ‘boss’ the Villa side and makes a worthy captain.
Newcastle United Team News:
New boy Obafemi Martins is waiting on international clearance and could feature. Shola Ameobi and Craig Moore are injury doubts but keeper Shay Given will return.
Newcastle (from): Given, Harper, Carr, Babayaro, Taylor, Bramble, Moore, Ramage, Parker, Emre, Solano, Duff, N’Zogbia, Butt, Milner, O’Brien, Pattison, Martins, Ameobi, Luque.
Player to watch: Titus Bramble
Just for the comedy factor you undestand!
Match Facts & Stats
Last season: Aston Villa 1-2 Newcastle United
Moore 16, (Ameobi 2, N’Zogbia 29)
Record in the Prem: Villa 4 wins, Newcastle 14 wins, Draws 8
Record at Villa Park: Villa 2 wins, Newcastle 6 wins, Draws 5
Ref Watch:
Howard Webb
Match Prediction:
Mystic Mug 
says Villa are riding on the crest of a wave and will win this match 1-0. Sky Sports also predict a win, saying 2-1 to Villa.
Next Fixtures:
September 10th, West Ham (away)
September 16th, Watford (away)
