‘Really good game’ – Lawrenson drops Newcastle vs Aston Villa prediction

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BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson has predicted the scoreline of the upcoming Premier League fixture between Newcastle United and Aston Villa.

The Magpies host the Villans in a 2pm kick-off on Sunday.

Nine points and six places currently separate the two clubs, with the home side 17th on 18 and the visitors 11th on 27.

However, Newcastle technically come into the fixture as the form team.

Since an embarrassing FA Cup defeat at the hands of Cambridge United, Eddie Howe’s side have taken seven points from a possible nine in the Premier League, drawing with Watford and then defeating both Leeds and Everton.

Meanwhile, since Villa were knocked out of the FA Cup by Man United, they’ve taken a still impressive five points from a possible nine, drawing with the Red Devils and Leeds, and beating Everton.

Both clubs strengthened considerably during the January transfer window, with Newcastle bringing in the likes of Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes, while the loan signing of Philippe Coutinho already looks to have been a masterstroke from Steven Gerrard.

Lawrenson predicts Newcastle vs Villa

‘There have been plenty of positives for both teams in the past couple of weeks and this has the making of a really good game,’ wrote Lawrenson [BBC Sport]. ‘It’s certainly a hard one to call.’

‘Philippe Coutinho has been fabulous since joining Aston Villa last month and Newcastle will do well to keep him quiet, as well as Jacob Ramsey, who looks like he is going to be quite a player.

‘Newcastle got a huge win over Everton on Tuesday and you could see what it meant to everyone at St James’ Park. Now they have to try to maintain some of that momentum.’

His scoreline prediction is 1-1.

Would Newcastle take a draw?

This one should be a cracker, as two defensively vulnerable teams with attacking threat go head to head.

Villa have won four times on the road this season and Gerrard won’t want to be bested by Howe, but Newcastle are looking to pull clear of trouble as quickly as possible and a win should give them some breathing space with Norwich unlikely to get anything from their game against Man City.

The Magpies have tricky-looking away ties against West Ham, Brentford and Chelsea in their next four fixtures after this one, so it’s important that they at least get something from the game.