Three reasons why Aston Villa must get a result against Newcastle

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Aston Villa face Newcastle United on Saturday at Villa Park.

Life in the Championship for Aston Villa has not got off to a great start, With just one win so far this season, it is crucial for manager Roberto Di Matteo that his side can salvage a result against Newcastle United.

Newcastle on the other hand have got off to a great start, winning five out of eight games. Villa will be going into this game as underdogs. Here are three reasons why Villa must get a result against the Magpies.

Roberto Di Matteo is under pressure to get a result

Villa go into this game off the back of three draws and a defeat for Di Matteo could mark the end of the manager’s time at Villa Park.

Going into the season, Villa were 8/1 favourites to bounce back and win the Championship. However, their start to the campaign has not shown any signs of the possibility of promotion back to the Premiership. Villa currently sit 18th in the league.

When Di Matteo took the Villa job in June, he knew what he was letting himself in for. Although it is early days, the Italian has already been heavily criticised by frustrated fans for poor results. Fans concerns will only grow louder if Villa were to lose against Newcastle.

Villa have an advantage over Newcastle

On Tuesday, Newcastle will face Wolves in the EFL Cup. Villa were knocked out of the competition by Luton Town, which means that Di Matteo’ side will have a week off to recover from the weekend and work on their formation. This may work to Villa’s advantage.

Newcastle’s defeat at the weekend to Wolves was a wake up call for the Magpies. Villa managed to hold on at Ipswich and secure a valuable point. The previous ten meetings between the two sides at Villa Park have ended in four wins and three draws for Villa, which shows that Newcastle rarely get a win at Villa.

New style and formation could work for Villa

Against Ipswich, Di Matteo changed Villa’s format by tightening his team up. Nathan Baker and James Chester worked alongside Tommy Elphick in a three-man defence while Mile Jedinak also played deep. This style certainly worked as Villa picked up a clean sheet.

Whether or not Di Matteo decides to stick with this formation against Newcastle remains to be seen; the main task for the manager is to put confidence back in his players and fans. Saturday’s game against the Magpies will be a big test for Villa – one that Di Matteo desperately needs to get a result in.