Match Prediction: Newcastle at Villa Park
Thursday, 07 February 08, 11:16 AM
It would be so easy to say we'll win this and if Newcastle still had Sam Allardyce in charge I'd be predicting three points, without even thinking about it or writing anything else.
The thing is, they've got Kevin Keegan back and like it or not, he could be the talisman that Newcastle need to challenge for top four.
The other thing is, they do say you should never go back to a previous club but Kevin Keegan could be one of those where that rule doesn't apply. He almost did it last time when he was at Newcastle and as a football fan you can see why Newcastle have taken the risk with Keegan. I think the risk will prove to be worth it - as long as he is given time and the tools.
Last time, back in the mid-nineties, it didn't happen over night for Newcastle and I've got a feeling that if Keegan is given the time and funds he'll get it right - but the stranglehold the top four have is a tough nut to crack and when you factor in you've got teams like us, Manchester City and Everton also vying to break in, it's going to be tougher.
There is also this media driven frenzy that says you've got to get it right straight away - we're suffering from that, to some extent at the moment, but overall I think our supporters will give O'Neill time - whether Keegan gets that or not remains to be seen and could be the deciding factor.
But to the match and while I believe Keegan will get it right eventually, I think he will struggle with his current squad. Not because they're not good enough, mostly because I think he's got a few players there for the money sitting very happily in their comfort zone - Keegan needs more flair players and one or two hungrier players in the team.
We've also got another great opportunity to kick on this weekend with Liverpool at Chelsea and Manchester City at Manchester United on Sunday. Everton should beat Reading at home but three points for us could prove very beneficial - and when you factor in we're at home, playing against a Newcastle team that still isn't a Kevin Keegan team, I think we'll do it.
Gabby looks a doubt and could probably do with a little breather and I wouldn't be surprised to see Nathan Delfouneso sit on the bench and who knows, maybe come on - but it's unlikely, even if it would be nice.
It's also going to be nice to see Webcam Ashley back and maybe, who knows maybe Wayne Routledge will get a look in - adding a much needed balance and another attacking option. We'll just have to wait and see - but if he doesn't start I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the bench too.
So, that's my prediction, three points. Probably not the best game but I just think we missed our opportunity against Fulham to kick on and the way our season is going, I expect us to not miss this one - funny how times change.
Comments (39)
Another game, another goal for the Villa. What's the record so far? 2 games out of 28 without scoring?
2-0 Villa.
i agree 2-0 to the villa, kev will do well for newcastle eventually but correct me if im wrong they still havent really got a tactician in their ranks, and a relativly slow defence
hope we keep milner quiet and delfuenso makes his debut
If we turn up with the same attitude we had against Fulham, we might struggle. Owen will be determined to prove to Capello that he should be in the team.
I don't think this will be an easy game at all, especially with Gabby out. Fortunately we do have Young back and he will probably be the difference between the two sides.
I predict Reo-Joker will play crap as per usual, pointing his finger telling the other players where to pass it as long as it's not to him.
Don't blame it on Petrov, Don't blame it on Barry, Don't blame it on Ashley Young, Blame it on Coker.
He just can't, he just can't, he just can't control his feet.
Crap player.
I agree with jinksy, he is quite good at winning the ball but seems to lose it just as easy. Team for saturday
Carson
Mellberg Davies (If fit) Laursen Bouma
Routledge Petrov Barry Young
Harewood Carew
Any Takers?
Song For Ashley (to the same tune as Man Ure With Ronaldo)
He plays on the left... He plays on the riiiiiiiigggggggghhhhtt
Ashley Youngs.....
On webcam tonight!
Well.....after flying to london last weekend to watch that shower shite...I tell you what, if we do not improve 100% against the toon, they will beat the Villa on effort alone.
Lets just put that game down to experience and get on with playing some good football again and qualifing for Europe. Who's the eejit who says Reo-Coker is Crap....wise up man, he is twice the player that Petrov is...I think a few stints in the reserves may buck-up his ideas....better than that, send him packing back to Celtic..
He has no pace, no idea, no sense..Just watch him this Saturday ...he hides all over the pitch.
Anyway, lets hope that we get a win...my prediction is 2-1 VILLA
I'd put Craig Gardener along side Barry.
I'd go with Gardner over Petrov
Gabi is the only real worry injury wise.
O'Neill is likely to be without Agbonlahor, who withdrew from the England squad after suffering a hamstring injury against Fulham, for the match against Newcastle United on Saturday. It would be the first time in O'Neill's reign that Agbonlahor has not figured, having played in all of last season's 42 games and all 28 this term.
â€He's had the scans and there's something showing up so at the moment, you'd have to say he'd be a serious doubt for Saturday,†O'Neill said, before confirming that Curtis Davies, the defender, who was in Fabio Capello's preliminary squad of 30 players but pulled out with a knee injury, is making good progress and should feature in training today. Martin Laursen (heel) and Stiliyan Petrov (concussion) pulled out of the Denmark and Bulgaria squads respectively but hope to be fit for Saturday's match when Villa, who could have moved into fourth place in the Barclays Premier League last Sunday, will be seeking their first win in four games
Why do i have the feeling keegan will get his first win against us :( :(
Gutted gabby is out for this one and thank god barry didnt get injuerd while playing for england
I can see these injurys comming thick and fast tho now
Before you no it we will be watching the under 16s if that happens i want money back of my season ticket cause i didnt buy it to watch a bunch of school kids >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(
oi priminister we could all copy and paste a story from another site.................What's that all about???
Heads up lads - the future's bright, the future's claret and blue. We ought to win this one, but I too have that nagging feeling that KK might get his win here. That could be due to the fact that we've come to expect losing too many games in the past.
I think the Fulham game was just a blip. We will at worst draw against Newcastle and with a bit of luck win. We are better organised, defend as a unit, have a lot more pace and are at home. Surely its a home win. Comon VILLA.
Keegan is just the front-man to keep the fans mollified. The real power-brokers are the new suits that Ashley has brought in. Keegan will be allowed to take any credit going but he'll also get quickly isolated if things go wrong. Essentially he's just holding it together until Ashley can get his Board sorted out.
We'll lose 2-1 we're hitting a bad patch that will see us a few places.
The match is live on Sky Sports Saturday 12:45. I will go down to the pub to watch it. Because I don't want to look like a total alcoholic I will order a coffee and sit there quitely sipping it. Five minutes into the game I will be roaring at the TV. Another five minutes and to hell with coffee so I'll order a pint. Does this sound familiar?
na , i've no problem lookin like a complete alcoholic!
Welcome to being an American fan. I've got the debate now of whether to get up early for the 7:45 a.m.(!) local time kickoff, or just sleep in and hope for the best.
Oi jinksyjust showing people O'Neills quote. sorry you suing me for copywrite law.
I think in this phase of the season, it all comes down to self-belief. Do they players believe they're good enough for Europe, and are they willing to fight for it?
That's what I take away from performances like the Fulham game. It's not necessarily lack of confidence about whether they match up with Fulham, but confidence in their overall position. Villa seemed less convinced of their suitability for Europe than Fulham did in their desire to stay up.
And of course, it didn't help not having Young on the pitch.
But I think this is why MON plays the small-squad card. It's not intended as an excuse, rather a bit of psychology in painting his players as underdogs.
I better make up a little song next time.
Too many players under-performed last Sunday and lets face it, Fulham played well and probably deserved their win. Was it Hodgson's first 3 points as manager at Fulham, and will KK get his first 3 against us on Saturday..? Probably not. Paddypower has us a 5/6 for a win and I think its a while since we had a 1-0 victory scoreline. So thats my prediction ;)
Hopeful line up, imo;
Taylor
Mellberg Knight Laursen Bouma
Gardner NRC Barry Young
Harewood Maloney
Subs: Petrov, Carew, Routledge, Carson, Moore
Barry goes left-back and Bouma into centre if any defenders get crocked.. Give Harewood 45mins and replace with Carew if he doesn't do the bizz
Draw, the bad patch thing is worrying me.
We can't afford to get beat.
hope its a good match and a win of course for the villa it will be my first time at villa park im from ireland never had the chance to before now i cant wait
Harewood needs to start, i think Gardener instead of Petrov. With those two we should atleast have better energy and all round tenacity that was non existant last week. Does Maloney know how to pass by the way? As soon as he gets it you know there will be a shot on goal...Also count the amount of times we play it back to Carson, it was something stupid like 13 in the second half vs Fulham.......Anyway, hopefully 2-1 win for us, it will be the other way if we start Maloney instead of Harewood
there's no way we will lose to newcastle they are a team in shambles, this is an easy 3 points for the villa. Minor set back against fulham but willcome out flying on Saturday.
I agree with 'jinksy' in his summing up of Reo-Coker. He needlessly gives away free-kicks in dangerous positions, cannot pass and takes five touches to control a ball that only requires one. A more over-rated and over-priced player I have never seen and he seriously thinks that he should be competeing for an England place - Reo-Coker = Reo-joker, I agree.
Whats all this negativity-we'll be back on the right road this weekend. I'm sure MON has chewed their asses all week and they are properly motivated.
I saw Newcastle's game againest Boro on Sunday on TV. They were brutal. Boro opened them up at will for the last 20mins. We really should win this one comfortably. Keegan to be sacked by this time next year.
Id go with ANYONE over Petrov, really.... anyone that can not see that he's just not good enough does not understand football. He's one of the main reasons we do not create from open play, thats what he is there for as our creative option and he just doesnt do it!!!!
I think we'll see our only January purchase in action tomorrow, I can't see him sticking with the same midfield that was woeful against Fulham. With all the criticism of coker, which I understand and agree with, if he has good options on both the right and left he can concentrate on winning the ball and then spreading it wide. One thing Coker can do is win the ball, it's just what he does when he gets it.
I am hopeful that Routledge is a bargain, he's pacy and fits our style of play by all accounts and from the clips on this video LINK he looks like he could be a real handful.
As much as I want a win, as much as I want us in Europe next season I think it will be a draw. The last few games we haven't really promised much, conceding too many goals and have a remarkable ability not to hold on to the lead. Sorry!!
I'd like to see Delfouneso come on and score. I'd love it, absolutely LOVE it if we beat them.
Right, I'm off for a nervous breakdown... :P
I tell you know villa will beat newcastle as long as we do this....
1. Keep marlon "all i do is tell the crowd to sing more, and pretend i have passion" Harewood on the bench.
2. Stop hitting long ball to Carew when there is no body in support.
3. again dont play Harewood
want us to beat them so bad. cant belive kk thinks he even has a chance of signin henry. delusional geordieland. really hope they get relegated sum time soon
dan 123, theres so much egg on ya face now that you should just change your name to clueomeless lol
Harewood and Carew have been immense this season, Petrov has been embarrassing and leave Nigel reo coker alone, there was some sts firing around that said that rio coker has made (and completed) more tackles than any other player in the prem, thats why he is in the team, hes an expert at winning the ball back. Hes not renowned for his skill on the ball which is why people like petrov should be performing in that area.
A really brilliant midfielder is what we are missing, i would definately play gardner ahead of petrov at the moment as he is having a mare, but we need to sign someone else to do the job next season:)I hear Kaka could be going cheap xxxx