Match Preview/Stats/Thread: Newcastle Utd v Aston Villa
By Tyne-Talk
February 22 2014
Newcastle United host Aston Villa tomorrow lunchtime in their first game in 10 days. Newcastle go into the game with four defeats, one win and one draw from their last six games, whilst Aston Villa travel on the back of three defeats, two draws and win from theirs.
Alan Pardew must be concerned that his side haven’t scored in their last four games and have only won one of their last eight games, however, Aston Villa don’t fair much better having won just two of their last eight.
Loic Remy will return from a three match suspension, whilst Pardew is also hoping to recall captain Fabricio Coloccini (knee) and Cheik Tiote (hamstring). Hatem ben Arfa faces a late fitness test after picking up a knock but Gabriel Obertan (knee) should also be fit to play if needed.
Andi Weimann is likely to resume his place in the starting eleven having been a sub in their last game as is Karim el Ahmadi. Jores Okore (knee) is not available.
Villa manager Paul Lambert said in his pre match press conference;
"I think the expectation levels will be on Newcastle with the crowd and the club that it is. They've been beaten pretty heavily in their last few home games which isn't like them, because they've been pretty consistent.
Alan's done a great job there and it'll be a tough game. But we also know that if you can get on the front foot the crowd might become edgy.
I think any club with a big fan-base, especially at home, they come expecting you to win and if things go against you, you can hear the grumblings and the moans and such.
But you've got to be a big enough player to take the ball in any situation. You can never be frightened by it. It's something you have to be able to live with and be able to handle that pressure.
Sometimes it can get to you. Some players can handle it but if it gets to you, it becomes tough. I'm not so sure it's a 'good' time to go there. It's always a tough game there. Always. We're playing very well away from home, I think we've picked up 17 points away, which is an incredible amount.
We know we can cause trouble there. We've got to get that crowd against them and if we can do that then we've got a chance."
Whilst Alan Pardew said in his;
"Obviously, I've got to pick a side which I think will beat Aston Villa. It's never been a headache for me to pick a team – I really don't have that issue. I've changed tack with one or two players in terms of what I think they need to do to pick their season up again.
Most of the players have been terrific for me this season. But this last run hasn't been good enough, and I have to react to that. I thought it was important to remind them of the responsibilities they have.
No matter how comfortable we are in the league, there are certain standards. I made that clear. One thing that is for certain is that Loic will return. He's an important factor in the way we've played this year. To have him back has been a big lift for everybody. He, in himself, has got a lift. There's a freedom to him."
Fact: Newcastle have not had an English player score for them in their last 45 Premier League games.
Fact: Newcastle have had less different goal scorers this season that any other side.
Fact: Villa last won at St James Park in 2005.
|
Newcastle United |
|
Aston Villa |
|
|
||
|
26 |
Played |
26 |
|
37 |
Points |
28 |
|
11 |
Won |
7 |
|
4 |
Drawn |
7 |
|
11 |
Lost |
12 |
|
32 |
Goals Scored |
27 |
|
38 |
Goals Conceded |
36 |
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A win for us against Villa would be fantastic. I have high hopes for us, if as reported Tiote, Colo and Remy are all fit to play,
C'mon Newcastle
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett, Sissoko, Tiote, Anita, Gouffran, Remy, Cisse.
Subs: Yanga-Mbiwa, Gosling, De Jong, Haidara, Elliot, Shola Ameobi, Steven Taylor.
Aston Villa:
Guzan, Bacuna, Baker, Vlaar, Bertrand, Weimann, Westwood, Delph, El Ahmadi, Benteke, Agbonlahor.
Subs: Bennett, Clark, Albrighton, Steer, Sylla, Tonev, Holt.
I've watched quite a few of the matches
It wasn't the best performance from the team but there were a few good points to take from it.
Krul kept a clean sheet
Dummett had a good game and should keep Santon out of the team
Willo and Collo were good
Anita put in a top performance
Cisse looked a lot better than he has done recently apart from missing a goal even willo could have scored.
De Jong looked a lot better
We scored and didn't lose at home again
CND i've watched quite a bit of the ice hockey but didn't think the standard of play was as good as i was expecting, what did you think?
Dummett put in a good performamce.
Sissoko nothing like as good as he was the first time he played for us.
De jong didn't get an assist for it as it wasn't a deliberate pass or some nonsense like that
Back to winning ways, and fine performances by de Jong (with his assist) and Remy (with his goal).
TOON TOON BLACK AND WHITE ARMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And we're 8th after 27 matches.
I haven't seen the attendance figures but it was good to see the boycott in action.
De Jong did get the assist for Remy's goal for fantasy football purposes
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:02:23:18:06:44 by Carys.
Quote:mentalman
De Jong didn't get an assist!
I haven't seen the attendance figures but it was good to see the boycott in action.
Yes, de Jong did get the assist. And please try to sound a bit cheerful after that victory that puts us into 8th place after 27 matches.
And if your boycott is going well, then you should be doubly happy - victory and boycott.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:02:23:18:57:21 by Nick-Kielce-Poland.
Quote:mentalman
On another note hasn't Benteke got a funny shaped head.
CND i've watched quite a bit of the ice hockey but didn't think the standard of play was as good as i was expecting, what did you think?
Mental I was expecting more from Russia, though they always have good players but never figure out the team thing. The semi-finals and final were a bit of a let down, even though my team won.
He was prepared to change the formation a bit, when we got under pressure, going to a 4-5-1 instead of 4-4-2, which Villa had figured out.
On the other side, why start Remy up front, when he is obviously more comfortable on the left?
A good win.. And Dummett had a very good game. But we seemed a bit short of midfielders, when Gosling can some in..
Nick, i see sarcasm is lost on you, other than your man crush on Fat Mike i've probably defended the regime the most on this site, had you bothered to read the debate before hijacking it with your anti shearer rubbish you might have seen that i had criticised the fans for even contemplating a boycott.
Quote:mentalman
I think Bigi is injured otherwise i could see him getting the nod over Gosling.
Nick, i see sarcasm is lost on you, other than your man crush on Fat Mike i've probably defended the regime the most on this site, had you bothered to read the debate before hijacking it with your anti shearer rubbish you might have seen that i had criticised the fans for even contemplating a boycott.
Well, that sarcasm certainly was lost on me. I actually respect the boycot. I completely disagree with the notion that Mike has done anything other than a sterling job, but if people think he hasn't, then they should boycot. I boycotted under Freddie.
Quote:annie
Having argued earlier that de Jong did get the assist I now admit I was wrong. His shot hit an Aston Villa player and although it in some way helped Remy get the goal, it wasn't a true assist.
Well, people have different definitions for things - the word 'Christian' for example has a few different definitions, and who's to say that one is more valid than another - not me, certainly.
The word 'assist' also has different definitions; for some it has to be a cross to someone who scores, for others it's not an assist if the goal was a solo golazo (was the pass to Maradona for his 2nd goal against England (1986) an assist for example)? and for others, de Jong did indeed have an assist, even though he meant to score himself - (it ended with a goal).
Again, who's to say that one definition is more valid than another? Not me, that's for sure.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:02:24:20:37:06 by Nick-Kielce-Poland.