Newcastle travel to Villa Park to take on Aston Villa in the Championship this weekend.
Newcastle United’s Mohamed Diame receives a yellow card from Tim Robinson
Newcastle United midfielder Mo Diame has told the Chronicle he thinks this weekend’s trip to Aston Villa will remind them of times in the Premier League.
Villa were relegated along with Newcastle from the top flight last season and though both sides have had pretty contrasting starts to their season in the Championship, the midfielder feels it is a massive game.
He told the Chronicle: “This is a massive game against Aston Villa and an important one for our season. Good players like to be involved in these games.
“It’ll remind us of playing in the Premier League and what it’s like to play at big stadiums away from home.
Newcastle’s Chancel Mbemba in action with Aston Villa’s Jordan Ayew
“It’s a massive game for us, we know that all Aston Villa fans are expecting a good game against Newcastle but we will be going there to win the game.”
Newcastle are currently sitting in third place in the Championship table after eight games – four points off the top, and two off the automatic promotion places at this early stage of the campaign.
They will be looking to get back to winning ways in the league after suffering a 2-0 defeat the hands of Wolves on their last league outing, a defeat they avenged against the same opposition in the EFL Cup in midweek.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez shakes the hand of Wolves manager Walter Zenga
It’s interesting that Diame says it’d be a reminder of playing in the Premier League given that both sides are in pretty unfamiliar territory by dropping out of the top flight. Both have the infrastructure and fanbase of a top flight club and will be keen to return there as quickly as possible.
Newcastle have adapted to life in the Championship a little quicker than their opponents, with Villa currently in 18th place having taken eight points from as many games.
Aston Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo
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