Aston Villa

The race for the top five is ferocious and after seeing how Manchester City played against Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday, I just think Aston Villa will be too dynamic for them.

It depends on what team City boss Pep Guardiola picks, of course, but although they eventually beat Everton, they were very flat for most of the game.

I really don't understand why Pep keeps playing Bernardo Silva wide on the right, for example, and it would make much more sense if he used Jeremy Doku, along with Savinho, as his two wide men.

City's physicality in midfield has been an issue for them all season and I don't think Nico Gonzalez has made much difference there. He doesn't have anything like the same presence as Rodri, or Declan Rice at Arsenal, for example.

So, City could have problems coping with Villa, who cut straight through them at times when they beat them at Villa Park in December.

I thought Villa might be tired after their Champions League tie with Paris St-Germain last week, because they put so much into it, but they certainly didn't lack any intensity in their brilliant win over Newcastle and we know how much energy they have got in their midfield.

Villa have lost their past 14 visits to Etihad Stadium in the league, but that run will end on Tuesday.

City will be far more dangerous if Doku and Savinho both play to give them the legs they have been lacking, but it looks like Guardiola is sticking with the old guard so I am going for a Villa victory this time.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Make your own prediction here, external

David Michael
Fan writer

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Against Newcastle United, Aston Villa finally produced a Premier League performance worthy of their potential - the kind their squad, at least on paper, has hinted at all season.

Now back to full strength and apparently reset after the March international break, Villa seem to have developed a new edge and focus.

Ironically, it may be the Champions League defeat by Paris St-Germain that has truly ignited them.

Over two legs, the talented champions of France exposed Villa to a new level of intensity - the pace, precision, and positional discipline that define the elite. In trying to live with that, Villa were forced to raise their own game.

The result may have been an eventual exit over two legs, but the experience has invigorated them.

Since the first leg in Paris, Villa have scored 10 goals in three matches. From the second leg at Villa Park, if there is one thing the players will have taken away, it is the belief - and the hunger - that they belong at that level. That they could compete without an apparent ceiling of ambition.

Suddenly, securing Champions League football next season is not just a target - it feels like a necessity.

There is no time now for regret over dropped points earlier in the campaign - just a relentless determination to finish the job.

Tuesday's trip to Etihad Stadium presents the first truly 50-50 league clash there, arguably since Sheikh Mansour took ownership of Manchester City in 2008.

If Villa can secure a first league win at City since then, it would not only put them in pole position for a Champions League spot but underline their growing status as a legitimate force in English football.

What began as a painful European exit might just become the vital spark that fuels Villa's final push - and shapes the club's trajectory for seasons to come.

Find more from David Michael at My Old Man Said, external

Aston Villa are exploring the possibility of selling striker Ollie Watkins for £50-60m and signing loanee Marcus Rashford from Manchester United. (Football Insider), external

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Manchester City have won their past 14 Premier League home games against Aston Villa, scoring at least twice in each of the past 13. Their most recent defeat was in April 2007.

Across those 14 consecutive victories, City have trailed in just two games, going 1-0 down in May 2010 and 2-0 down in May 2022 before winning 3-1 and 3-2 respectively.

In Premier League history, only City themselves against Newcastle (an ongoing run of 16) have won more consecutive home games against an opponent.

But Villa have won two of their past three league games against City, as many as in their previous 23, and they are looking to complete their first league double over City since 1962-63.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium (20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Emery began by confirming he has a full squad to select from on Tuesday: "Tomorrow we will prepare the match as well as possible and the players will all be available."

• He wants to continue the momentum from Saturday's win over Newcastle: "We can't stop. We are involved in our key moment of the season. Through the Premier League we are trying to get our first objective. In 38 matches playing, tomorrow is the 34th."

• Emery stressed his team are well prepared: "We are ready. Every player and every worker here at Aston Villa is so so focused in the moment we are [in]."

• On Manchester City: "One of the contenders to be in the top four, five. They want to win the title, but this year has been more difficult for them. My respect for them is massive like always.

• On Ollie Watkins' chase of Villa's Premier League goalscoring record after he levelled Gabriel Agbonlahor on 74 in the competition: "Individual objectives - they are so so important for the players. Of course, through it as well we can get collective objectives. I'm so happy [with] how he is performing, how he is progressing as well under our management. The individual objective is very important for him, for us, for the club, for the process and for our progress. Hopefully, we can help him to get more and more."

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Aston Villa and Newcastle.

Here are some of your comments:

Aston Villa fans

Cassie: What a game. Ollie Watkins showed his ability and showed Unai Emery why he must start against Manchester City on Tuesday. It is a game which will determine if we play in the Champions League next season. The manager has a selection issue which is not a bad thing, but in Emery we trust.

Graham: Has Villa's win over PSG given the team even more self-belief that they can beat anyone? Another Emery masterclass in selection and rotation. Is that the best bench in the Premier League?

Ian: Another fantastic performance on the back of a terrific effort against PSG. A great team effort against an in-form and very good Newcastle side. We are playing with such confidence and have no fear. All credit to Emery and his staff and of course the players themselves. We just need to keep this momentum going and for once we will go to Man City believing we can win. We have such a strong squad, top players everywhere and of course a genius manager. Keep the faith!

Scott: The steady planning and background work from the manager and his team is being to flourish. Without the quality of squad that he has built, performances at this time of the season would not be possible. In brief, it is a top-class structure at Villa now with a very good squad.

Newcastle fans

Ozzy: Villa had answers to everything we tried, Emery had obviously seen our recent performances and had prepared Villa really well. Our away form has been very disappointing this season and with two away games left at Brighton and Arsenal, we will have to improve a lot if we want a top five position. Hopefully Eddie will be well enough to come back soon - we desperately need his tactical nous & inspiration over the last 5 games.

Alan: We just didn't turn up. Obviously, a difficult trip away to a side in form and they just overwhelmed us. Normally our midfield is a major strength but Guimaraes and in particular Joelinton were just not on it. It's been a long hard season with a squad which has little depth. I feel for the team. Step back, recuperate this week, and then go again.

Howard: We have played so well since the cup win, but a game like this is a reminder that our ability to rotate is very limited. We need to improve the quality of the squad so we can match the top teams. We need depth and to allow players that have been good for the club in the past to move on. We also need more consistency out of our 'star' players. I still believe we will qualify for Champions League.

Richard: I wish Newcastle would stop using the excuse of being too tired or it being a match too far for us. Villa have been playing Champions League as have other top teams and it doesn't seem to bother them. Having said that, I think we will bounce back and qualify for Champions League. However, Isak needs to pick up his form again.

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport journalist

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Ollie Watkins said he'd been "fuming" when he was benched for both of Aston Villa's Champions League quarter-final ties with Paris St-Germain.

But against Newcastle on Saturday he channelled his anger perfectly as he started, scored and set up another to propel his side to brilliant 4-1 win.

His goal meant he became Villa's joint-top Premier League goalscorer - alongside Gabriel Agbonlahor - on 74.

And he otherwise impressed with tireless runs, fine hold-up play and thankless pressing.

Watkins was substituted in the 82nd minute, by which point Villa were already 4-1 up and Villa Park was chanting his name.

After giving manager Unai Emery a selection headache, Watkins will expect to start both Villa's next match against Manchester City on Tuesday, and their FA Cup semi-final with Crystal Palace next weekend.

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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Very proud of how the players responded. At Villa Park we feel so strong with our supporters. Good, positive energy and now we are competing.

"Today was a match with every player available to play. That means three players missed out on the squad, I don't like to leave three players out but it's a necessity to improve and increase our competitive way for this match."

On options from the bench: "We were missing it before and now, in the second half of the season, it's strong.

"We had to improve, get better, try to add players that would help us, recover injured players and some players were not fit enough in certain moments - and now they are. The result is a consequence of this.

"In the second half they were pushing with fresh legs and we won through that."

On using Champions League exit as motivation: "We have to feel angry when we are not winning. Of course, we enjoyed the Champions League, we have to be proud of our effort but we lost. Always when you lose, you have to be angry and respond.

"We have to focus clearly each match, each moment and be like today. I'm so happy with how we responded but now my thoughts are on the Manchester City match on Tuesday."

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Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins, speaking to Sky Sports about not playing more minutes against PSG in the Champions League: "Champions League, we have put in a lot of hard graft to get to that position.

"I played 20 minutes against PSG in both games. I am not going to lie, I was fuming that I wasn't playing - I let him [Unai Emery] know that.

"He's the manager, at the end of the day you have to respect his decision.

"I am not one of these players which is happy to sit on the bench.

"It was something I have not experienced before and to miss out on the biggest stage.

"I think me and a few others were disappointed that we didn't start the game, but it is the manager's decision.

"The team played well, but I wanted to be out on the pitch for much longer. I have played a big part to get to where we are today and I want to play in those games.

"Against Southampton I came off the bench. I was angry I wasn't playing and you have got to use that as motivation rather than let it hinder you.

"We are doing unbelievable now and we have a great home run. We have to keep wining these games.

"We have got to win all the games in front of us and win that Champions League spot."

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Aston Villa have won five consecutive Premier League games for the first time since March/April 2023. Meanwhile, they have won six successive home matches in all competitions, each while scoring at least twice. It's the Villans' longest run of home wins while scoring 2+ since January 1990 (11).

Were you at the game or following elsewhere?

Have your say on Aston Villa's performance

What did you make of Newcastle's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Brentford v Brighton

• Crystal Palace v Bournemouth

• Everton v Manchester City

• West Ham v Southampton

• Aston Villa v Newcastle (17:30 BST)

All kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Newcastle are the Premier League's momentum monsters, especially since winning the Carabao Cup, but their excellent form goes back further than that.

Seventh-placed Aston Villa are also in great shape, on a run of four successive league wins, and although they lost the tie overall, they were sensational in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Paris St-Germain.

Villa's comeback on the night, to win 3-2 after falling 2-0 down, took me by surprise but they really showed what they are made of. I think PSG will win this season's Champions League, but Villa pushed them all the way.

This is going to be a cracking game, and also a feisty one with what is at stake in the top-five race. Who or what decides it might come down to fine margins, and who makes the most of their chances, because both teams are going to get opportunities.

Villa will score, whoever they play up top, although maybe they should take Marco Asensio off penalties. He missed two spot-kicks last weekend against Southampton after I told everyone to watch out for him on the Fantasy 606 pod, which sums up my FPL season and predicting ability in one fell swoop.

You could make an argument for both teams here, but I am going with Newcastle, because of how good they were when I watched them at St James' Park on Wednesday to beat Palace 5-0.

Harvey Barnes was electric, just unbelievably good down the left, and the same goes for Jacob Murphy on the other flank - his opening goal was absolutely amazing, because who shoots from there?

With those two playing the way they are, Newcastle are going to keep on winning.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Aston Villa have won nine of their past 10 games across all competitions, while Newcastle have carried on their momentum from winning the Carabao Cup - despite now being without recovering manager Eddie Howe.

With just five points separating the two sides in the Premier League and both right in the middle of the fight to secure Champions League football next season, it sets up for a tasty battle between the two in-form teams at Villa Park on Saturday evening.

While they go head to head on the pitch, we asked our fan contributors for the club's to tell us how they are feeling off it before the big game.

Here is what Richard Sutherland from The Villa Park Podcast, external had to say..

And this is how Matty Renton from The Magpie Channel, external is feeling...

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Earlier, we asked you to name the current Aston Villa player from a series of clues.

The correct answer is Youri Tielemans.