Aston Villa almost completed a remarkable comeback in the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, winning 3-2 on the night but ultimately losing 5-4 on aggregate.
With their Champions League journey over, Villa now shift their focus to securing a spot in next season's competition. They will face Newcastle United, who sit in the top five, in a highly anticipated Premier League clash on Saturday.
Newcastle United, currently in third place, have been in impressive form after dominant wins over Manchester United (4-1) and Crystal Palace (5-0). They will look to capitalize on any fatigue Villa may carry from their European endeavours.
Team news
Aston Villa have a fully fit squad with Leon Bailey returning from injury. Andres Garcia and Donyell Malen, who were ineligible for the Champions League, are also available for selection.
Newcastle United will be without defenders Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, and Lewis Hall due to injuries. Jason Tindall is expected to lead the team as manager Eddie Howe continues his recovery from pneumonia.
The stats
In six of their last seven Premier League matches, Aston Villa have seen over 2.5 goals scored.
Villa have been formidable at home, losing only one of their last 25 league and cup matches played at Villa Park.
Four out of Villa's last six victories have ended with a 3-0 scoreline.
Newcastle United are on a six-match winning streak across all competitions.
The Magpies have been leading at half-time and full-time in four of their last five games.
Newcastle has experienced more than 3.5 goals in 10 of their last 19 Premier League fixtures.
Prediction
Aston Villa faced a daunting task when they trailed PSG 5-1 on aggregate early in Tuesday's Champions League clash. However, they staged a remarkable fightback with goals from Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, and Ezri Konsa. This performance should boost their morale ahead of the Newcastle clash.
With both teams showing strong attacking form, a prediction of over 3.5 goals seems likely. Villa showcased their attacking options by bringing on Ollie Watkins, Marco Asensio, Jacob Ramsey, and Ross Barkley in the PSG game.
Newcastle's recent wins over Leicester, Manchester United, and Crystal Palace have propelled them to third place, with standout performances from wingers Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy. Star striker Alexander Isak has contributed minimally to these wins, underlining the team's diverse attacking threats.
Villa's home record has been exceptional this season, with only one defeat in 25 games at Villa Park. However, facing a confident Newcastle side, fresh from their EFL Cup triumph, a high-scoring encounter is expected on Saturday.