Newcastle United are set to host Aston Villa at St. James' Park on Boxing Day, with both teams eager to make a significant statement in this Premier League clash. The Magpies, rejuvenated under the management of Eddie Howe, have showcased their attacking flair, netting 16 goals in their last five outings. This impressive run has propelled them to eighth place in the league, creating a promising backdrop as they approach the festive period. Additionally, Newcastle are gearing up for a semi-final showdown against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, which adds to their current momentum.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, are keen to build on their successful return to the Champions League following a commendable fourth-place finish last season. Under the astute guidance of Unai Emery, Villa's recent 2-1 victory over Manchester City has elevated them to sixth in the Premier League standings. They currently sit just three points behind Nottingham Forest, who occupy fourth place. A win for Newcastle could see them leapfrog Villa in the league rankings, making this encounter all the more critical.
### Recent Form Analysis
The recent form of both teams presents a study in contrasts. Newcastle's last five matches include emphatic victories, such as a 4-0 triumph over Leicester City and a 3-1 win against Brentford, alongside a thrilling 3-3 draw with Liverpool. In contrast, Aston Villa's recent performances have been mixed; while they celebrated a notable victory over Manchester City, they also suffered a setback with a loss to Nottingham Forest.
**Newcastle's Recent Matches:**
- 21/12/24: Ipswich 0-4 Newcastle
- 18/12/24: Newcastle 3-1 Brentford
- 14/12/24: Newcastle 4-0 Leicester
- 04/12/24: Newcastle 3-3 Liverpool
**Aston Villa's Recent Matches:**
- 21/12/24: Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester City
- 14/12/24: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Aston Villa
- 07/12/24: Aston Villa 1-0 Southampton
- 04/12/24: Aston Villa 3-1 Brentford
### Injury Updates
In terms of player availability, Newcastle are grappling with several injury concerns. Sven Botman is making progress in his recovery from an ACL injury but is not expected to return until the new year. Jamaal Lascelles is also on the mend but remains further behind in his rehabilitation. Joelinton and Nick Pope are doubts after missing the recent victory at Portman Road, while Callum Wilson and Emil Krafth are sidelined due to hamstring and collarbone injuries, respectively. Howe may opt to maintain the successful front three of Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak, and Jacob Murphy, with Isak recently netting a hat-trick.
**Predicted Newcastle Lineup (4-4-1-1):** Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
Aston Villa's injury situation is less concerning, with Jacob Murphy's hamstring issue being the primary worry. Emery is likely to field a similar starting XI that recently triumphed over Manchester City, relying on the midfield partnership of Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana to support Youri Tielemans in an advanced role.
**Predicted Aston Villa Lineup (4-3-3):** Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Onana, Tielemans; McGinn, Duran, Rogers.
As the match approaches, fans can anticipate an exhilarating atmosphere at St. James' Park. The game is scheduled for a 3pm kick-off and will be available for streaming through Amazon Prime in the UK, circumventing traditional blackout rules. With both teams demonstrating strong midfield capabilities that have been pivotal to their recent successes, the outcome of this encounter remains uncertain. However, Newcastle's home advantage could prove to be a decisive factor in this highly anticipated clash.