The Geordies are back at Villa Park for what is a battle between two unbeaten sides, albeit after just four games. Alan Pardew’s side managed to hold Arsenal to a goalless draw in their opening game, took a credible three points at Sunderland and the same again against Fulham at St. James’.

Newcastle have lost this fixture for the last three seasons and have only managed to leave Villa Park with all three points twice in the last ten years.

They were far from impressive in their last outing at Loftus Road though. QPR showed that Newcastle can be rocked with a good deal of positivity going forwards and, with more quality in front of goal, they should have won comfortably.

We’ve got a clearly fired up Gabby Agbonlahor and Darren Bent looking to pick up a goal after unusually going a few games without netting. Plus Charles N’Zogbia will need no motivation against his former club.

The good news is that it’s Barry Bannan who gets the nod in place of Emile Heskey, Gary Gardner coming into the 18 on the bench. Curiously, there’s no Stephen Ireland either, so Shane Lowry will also get a seat in the dug out.

EDIT: In a late change, Stephen Ireland has now been listed among the substitutes in place of Ciaran Clark.

Castrol Football Prediction

Last 10 results for this fixture:

Today’s other Premier League fixtures:

• Blackburn 4 – 2 Arsenal (currently still in play)
• Bolton v Norwich
• Everton v Wigan
• Swansea v West Brom
• Wolverhampton v QPR