Ian Holloway predicts Aston Villa v Newcastle United

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Aston Villa host Newcastle United in the West Midlands on Saturday evening.

Ian Holloway has told Sky Sports that he expects fallen Premier League giants Aston Villa and Newcastle United to play out a 1-1 draw at Villa Park this weekend.

This has been a common Premier League fixture over the past two decades but both sides square off in an intriguing Championship clash on Saturday.

Newcastle, who sit third in the table after winning five of their first eight games, have adapted to life in the second tier much better than Aston Villa, who host the Magpies looking to improve on their dismal win record of one victory in eight outings.

In their defence, Roberto Di Matteo’s side have been minutes away from victories in two of their last three games, but late goals against Nottingham Forest and Brentford denied them in recent weeks.

United’s five-match winning streak came to an abrupt end last Saturday when Wolves won 2-0 at St James’s Park, and Rafael Benitez’s boys will be keen to get their automatic promotion bid back on track in the West Midlands.

Another subplot to this one comes in the form of Jack Grealish after the controversial 21-year-old midfielder made headlines for the wrong reasons yet again recently.

And Holloway has simply told Sky Sports that the England Under-21 international must “sort his life out” if he wants to make the most of his undoubted potential.

“I’ve gone through this game a million times in my head and have come out with a different prediction each time. It’s going to be a brilliant clash played in a sensational atmosphere, but it’s very tough to call. The first goal in this game will be more important than usual.

“If Aston Villa get it, they could go on and win quite comfortably as the fans will be with them. However, a first goal the other way could lead to a very open game and that will suit Newcastle. I’m on the fence.

“On a side note, Jack Grealish needs to sort his life out. There’s no use having talent if you’re not going be committed to your craft. Roberto Di Matteo is the perfect man to deal with him, but you can’t make someone listen, he has to want to listen.

“However, the problem is that some of these young kids get too much too soon and they’re not taught to listen. The power has gone the wrong way, it’s skewed far too much in the favour of the players.”