Villa V Newcastle Preview

Live on Setanta Sports.

Villa travel up to Newcastle for Big Sam's first Premiership game as manager at St James Park. Lets hope we ruin his party! Never an easy place to go but Villa are capable IF they go for it.

Newcastle won their first Prem game (away to Bolton) 3-1. Villa lost at home to Liverpool 2-1

Interview with a Newcastle fan: Click Here
For Vital Newcastle's preview: Click Here

Martin O'Neill said: 'Our confidence hasn't been knocked by the Liverpool defeat. If we could just tighten up a little bit, especially when we haven't got the ball, then I honestly believe we will start to do better. I do believe we're capable of scoring and while it didn't flow on Saturday as it did against Inter Milan, we can get back to that and that's the type of football I want to see.' Adding, 'There's no doubt about it, playing away from home is different from playing at home, where the onus is on you to go and attack. But I think the bit of form we showed at the back-end of last season will give us confidence away from home.'

Big Sam said: 'Some teams could have nine points on the board by the time we play Aston Villa next Saturday night. But from a personal point of view I think it will be a blessing in disguise for us having the Arsenal game called off, as this will give us a full week to prepare for Aston Villa. When a new manager comes into a club like I have done, things are not going to be 100% straightaway, and we are still building and growing together. Hopefully we will have a good week together because there a lot of new staff and new players still getting to know each other and that will take time.'

Owen could be back after featuring in a reserve game. Joey Barton is out, as is Shay Given, Emre and Damien Duff.

If he is fit, he scores!

John Carew and Martin Laursen have recovered from the virus they were suffering with last week. Stuart Taylor is struggling to shake off an injury so Scott Carson could make his Villa debut. Sorensen is still out.

Got to get off to a flying start this season, needs shots and goals, especially as he is in my fantasy football team!

Gulp, I'd not realised our record was so bad against the Barcodes.

Record in the Prem: Newcastle 15 wins, Villa 6 wins, 7 draws
Record at St James Park: Newcastle 9 wins, Villa 2, Draws 3

Last season: Newcastle United 3-1 Aston Villa

Howard Webb

Mystic Mug is in a right strop this week after predicting a draw last week only to be scuppered by a free kick that never was. So the grumpy git is saying a home win tomorrow. 1-0 to Newcastle.

Fulham, 25/08/2007 and unbelievably it is at 3pm, whatever next?!

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