Monday 20th February, 20:00
Live on Sky Sports 1
Newcastle
Championship league leaders Newcastle remain on course for an immediate return to the Premier League, recovering from an early January set-back against Blackburn to collect 14 points from a possible 18 (W4-D2-L0).
Last time out the Toon were the better side in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Norwich, following back-to-back 1-0 triumphs against Wolves and Derby. The Magpies now boast the division's best attack and defence coming into Monday night's match.
Injury has ruled Isaac Hayden and the on-loan midfielder will join full-back Vurnon Anita and winger Rolando Aarons on the sidelines. However, top scorer Dwight Gayle is set for a recall having scored 20 goals in 21 Championship starts before injury struck.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa's atrocious midweek reverse at home to Barnsley was the club's seventh loss in eight games across all competitions and boss Steve Bruce is under intense pressure to arrest a worrying slide down the standings.
The Villans are only seven points above the relegation zone following four successive defeats and haven't tasted victory since edging out Burton on Boxing Day. No second-tier side has collected fewer points (1) this calendar year.
The fallen giants have spent £75m on new players this season - at a cost of over £2m per-point - but should at least have midfield marauder Mile Jedinak back. Full-back Neil Taylor remains doubtful and James Bree is unlikely to feature.
Match Odds
Newcastle are unbeaten in 11 meetings with Aston Villa since April 2011 (W5-D6-L0) and have claimed W6-D4-L0 in 10 duels against the Villans at St James' Park since 2005. The Toon are 1.66 to add another victory to the list in Monday night's match-up.
The Magpies haven't always convinced in front of their home supporters but with Gayle back in tow and with eight triumphs in 11 under their belts on Tyneside, it's hard to bet against the hosts extending their good form here.
Aston Villa have suffered six defeats in seven away days now and since the start of last season, the Second City club have departed pointless from 24/35 (69%) away league outings. Bruce's boys are 6.60 to claim an unlikely victory.
It's hard to oppose the hosts but we can squeeze out a bit of value by backing Newcastle/Newcastle in the Half-Time/Full-Time market at 2.62. It's a selection that's landed in seven of the Magpies' last 13 at St James' Park.
The Toon also boast a magnificent W21-D3-L1 return when notching the opening goal this season - a trend that tallies kindly alongside Aston Villa's record of losing 9/13 (69%) fixtures when conceding the first goal.
Over/Under 2.5 Goals
Pragmatist Rafa Benitez has overseen a more cautious Newcastle approach when taking to the road since relegation but at St James' Park the pre-season favourites have tended to get amongst the goals.
United have delivered 10/15 (67%) successful Over 2.5 Goals selections as both sides have scored on seven occasions. Those 15 fixtures have averaged 3.20 goals per-game, making the 1.79 available on Over 2.5 Goals appear attractive.
Aston Villa have failed to keep their sheets clean in 11 but the visitors can be a dour watch on the road. The Villans have only featured in 4 (25%) games to feature three or more goals and have already fired blanks in 9/16 (56%) of their matches outside of Villa Park.
Steve Bruce's defence-first attitude to away games may lead towards another low-scoring duel with Under 2.5 Goals hunters offered a chunky 2.12 on a repeat.
Recommended Bets Back Newcastle/Newcastle @ 2.62
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