Premier League: Aston Villa vs Newcastle United - Betting Tips, Odds & Prediction

Aston Villa and Newcastle United, two teams that have followed a similar trajectory in recent years, will lock horns in their Premier League opener at Villa Park on Saturday. 

Only a few seasons back, Villa and Newcastle used to find them on the bottom half of the table, fighting for survival. But they have made great progress in recent seasons under their respective managers and will begin the season hoping to bag European football by the end of their campaign. 

What are football betting sites in NZ thinking about this clash? Find out in our detailed analysis and betting preview. 

Aston Villa

The Villains couldn’t splash cash this summer after missing out on Champions League football. However, they will expect their boss Unai Emery to work his magic and mount another solid challenge for European spots this season. 

With Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford returning to their parent clubs, Villa haven’t managed to bring in like-for-like reinforcements. £23.5 million striker Evann Guessand from Nice is the only notable summer signing they have made so far. 

That said, NZ betting sites are still viewing them as the favourites in the opening match of their season against a formidable Newcastle team. 

Team News: Emiliano Martinez will miss this match as he serves a suspension, so debutant Marco Bizot should stand between the sticks for Villa. 

Predicted Lineup: Bizot; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Tielemans, Onana; McGinn, Rogers, Guessand; Watkins.

Newcastle United

Eddie Howe has faced a testing summer at Newcastle, as the club failed to land its primary targets. The situation could still take a turn for the worse before the September deadline, with Liverpool still showing interest in Alexander Isak. 

The relationship between the Swede and Newcastle seems quite strained at the moment. Howe has revealed that Isak has been training away from the first team and will not travel to Birmingham this weekend. 

The Magpies will have to overcome these off-pitch issues to return with a positive result from Villa Park. Football expert tips specialists are, therefore, cautious about backing Newcastle for this match.

Team News: Morgan Rogers might miss the game with an injury. Aaron Ramsdale could start ahead of Nick Pope at goal.

Predicted Lineup: Ramsdale; Trippier, Botman, Burn, Livramento; Tonali, Joelinton, Murphy; Elanga, Gordon, Barnes.

• Aston Villa have never drawn a match against Newcastle under Unai Emery.
• Villa have won two of their last three home matches against Newcastle.
• The last five Aston Villa vs Newcastle matches have seen 21 goals scored. 

Aston Villa are enjoying a remarkable spell at Villa Park. They have built a proper fortress at home with an unbeaten run of 21 matches, including eight consecutive wins. This is the longest unbeaten run the Villains have seen at home since the 1976/77 season. 

Emery’s side have also had Newcastle’s number at home, taking five of the last six meetings by at least two goals each.

Newcastle, on the other hand, failed to strengthen their squad substantially since the summer transfer window opened. The ongoing Isak transfer saga will also do no favours to Howe’s men as they prepare to open their Premier League season at a venue where they lost 1-4 last time around. 

This has been a goal-heavy fixture in recent times, so expect Villa to win with a big scoreline.

Ollie Watkins to Score First @ 5.50 

Emery has built his team on a possession first philosophy. So, they will look to keep hold of the ball most of the time and use Ollie Watkins, who bagged 16 Premier League goals last season, to stretch the opposition defence. We expect Villa to create a lot of early chances and Watkins should convert one of them to hand the hosts an early lead. Watkins is available at $5.50 to score first with Bet365, which looks like excellent value.