Newcastle United vs Aston Villa prediction 25.01.2026 | Premier League

It has been a stop-start few weeks for Newcastle. A League Cup defeat to City and a flat draw followed, and confidence looked thin. Then came PSV. Suddenly the tempo was back.

Eddie Howe’s side flew out of the blocks, scored twice inside half an hour, added a third later, and actually enjoyed defending for once.

That win matters. The Magpies have now taken three victories from their last five home games, scoring freely in a couple of them. History helps as well. Twelve of Newcastle’s last 13 wins against Villa came on this ground, which supporters will happily remind you of.

Anthony Gordon is growing into a leader here. His latest goal took him to eight for the season, and he should start alongside Wissa, who opened his European account midweek.

Injuries remain a concern, though. Lascelles, Krafth, Livramento, Burn, Murphy, and Schär are all sidelined, which leaves the back line feeling patched together.

Villa keep winning, almost casually. A 2–0 success over Fenerbahce in midweek sealed automatic progression in Europe and stretched their run to 14 wins in 17 games across all competitions. That is serious form.

Still, Unai Emery will have noticed something. Two of the three games Villa failed to win during that run came away from home. It is not a flaw, exactly, but it is a reminder.

Ollie Watkins continues to carry the attacking load and his seven league goals keep him nailed on up front. There was a strange moment in midweek involving Emery and Tielemans, a bit too animated for comfort.

The club insists it is settled, and it probably is, though it adds a slight edge to an already intense fixture. Barkley and Kamara remain out, while Leon Bailey is a doubt.