Aston Villa welcome Newcastle United to Villa Park this weekend in what promises to be a high-octane Premier League clash with European implications.
Both sides have shown attacking flair this season, but inconsistency has plagued them at crucial moments. With just a few games remaining, every point is vital.
Unai Emery’s Villa side have been a revelation this campaign.
Dominant at home, Villa Park has become a fortress, with Villa winning the majority of their fixtures on their turf.
Led by the dynamic midfield duo of John McGinn and Youri Tielemans, and supported by the goals of Ollie Watkins, the Villans have developed a balanced side capable of outplaying and outworking their opponents.
Defensively, the return of Tyrone Mings and the leadership of Emi Martínez in goal have added stability.
Newcastle, meanwhile, have hit top form at the perfect time of the season.
Eddie Howe’s men have dealt with injuries and fatigue from their cup runs, but they still boast one of the league’s most dangerous attacking threats.
Alexander Isak continues to impress with his movement and finishing, and Anthony Gordon has emerged as a key creative spark.
However, defensive frailty has been a concern, with the Magpies conceding more goals than expected, especially away from home.
Tactically, expect Emery to stick to his tried-and-tested 4-2-2-2, pressing high and exploiting wide spaces.
Newcastle may look to absorb pressure and hit on the counter, using the pace of Gordon and the physical presence of Isak.
Historically, this fixture has seen plenty of goals, and with both teams favoring attack over caution, fans can expect end-to-end action.
Villa will be buoyed by their strong home form and the roaring support of their fans, while Newcastle will be desperate to prove they can still mix it with the top sides.
Prediction: Aston Villa 3-2 Newcastle United
It’s likely to be a close contest, but Villa’s home advantage and more consistent form should edge it.
Expect both sides to get on the scoresheet, but the Villans might just have enough firepower to take all three points.