Newcastle United Assistant coach Jason Tindall says that they have “six finals” to qualify for the Champions League, with colleague European Hopefuls Aston Villa then.
The Magpies went third in the Premier League table on Wednesday and Crystal Palace shrinks 5-0 in their match to go in the table above Nottingham Forest.
They have each won of their last six games in all competitions, a run with their EFL Cup triumph over Liverpool, score 17 goals and keep three clean sheets.
A victory on Saturday would close the gap to the second placed Arsenal to two points, and with five Champions League places for grabbing, Newcastle wants to sharpen their grip on one.
“That is [Champions League] Where we want to come, “said Tindall, who stands for Eddie Howe while he is sick.
“Everyone in the Premier League wants to be in the Champions League. We have experienced it before and we want more of it.
“We now have six cup final and we have to stay focused to go outside and deliver the versions that we know will help us get Champions League.”
I think it's great, JT. pic.twitter.com/JC2GQJ8WHE
– Newcastle United (@NUFC) April 17, 2025
In the meantime, Villa from the Champions League was beaten by Paris Saint-Germain in the quarterfinals after a 5-4 total loss, although they won the second stage 3-2 in Villa Park.
Villa has only lost one of their last 10 games in all competitions (the first stage against PSG) and is currently on a five-game extraction streak in the Premier League.
The side of Unai Emery is seventh in the table, but could go to the top five if the results go their way, and Captain John McGinn emphasized the importance of having the crowd behind them because he expects a tough test on Saturday.
“Even if it is [the quarter-final] Was a loss over two legs, it is another victory. Our record [at home] This season is great again, “he said.
“Hopefully, [there are] There are many more. The fans have been completely with us and they will be with us on Saturday.
“We need the same atmosphere. It will be a very tough competition on Saturday and we cannot emphasize how important it is.”
Players to watch
Aston Villa – Marcus Rashford
Per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, Marcus Rashford has more touches (3.8), creates more chances (2.8) and tries more dribbles (five) for Villa than he did for Manchester United (42 touches, 1.5 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots shots, 1.4 shots shots shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 shots, 1.4 opportunities created and 3.5 dribbles).
Newcastle United – Jacob Murphy
Jacob Murphy has had a hand in 13 goals in his last 17 away Premier League performances for Newcastle United (four goals, nine assists), while he has three assists in seven games against Aston Villa.
Another big competition to come to Villa Park pic.twitter.com/1tvtqoffat
– Aston Villa (@AVFCofficial) April 17, 2025
Match forecast: Aston Villa Win
Aston Villa has lost five of their last six Premier League matches against Newcastle (W1), as much as they had in their previous 16 against the Magpies in the division (W4 D7).
However, the OPTA -SUPERCOMPUTER expects that they will bick that trend this weekend, because Villa has won each of their last four Premier League matches and gives only one goal. They want to win five in a row for the first time since April 2023.
Newcastle has won their last three Premier League matches against Villa and scored at least three goals every time. Only against Tottenham did they win more successively while they score 3+ every time in the competition (five between 2006 and 2008).
Only Liverpool (35) and Arsenal (28) have won more away Premier League points this season than Newcastle United (27). They won eight games this season and last won more in 2001-02 (nine).
In all competitions, Newcastle has won eight of their last 10 road races (L2. Their road extraction percentage is 53% (10 victories in 19 games), with only a higher percentage in 2016-17 (54%, 14 wins in 26) in their entire history.
Opta wins probability
Aston Villa – 41.4%
Drawing – 24.8%
Newcastle United – 33.8%