Eddie Gough’s men have had a season of notable ups and downs, but the overall picture looks competitive. After 22 rounds, Newcastle have 33 points and are in eighth place in the table, keeping a real chance of finishing in the Eurocup zone. The last match against Wolverhampton ended in a goalless draw, a result that somewhat slowed the team’s progress, but at the same time confirmed their organization in defense.

The home stadium remains a special strength of the “forties”. Newcastle have won seven of their 11 Premier League games at St James’ Park, conceding just twice. Active pressing, quick transitions from defense to attack and crazy support from the stands regularly create problems even for favorites. At the same time, the team sometimes lacks stability in the control of the game – Newcastle is not always able to keep the advantage and allows dangerous stretches near their own goal.

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa remain one of the big revelations of the season. Third place in the standings and 43 points after 22 rounds is a serious indicator of stability and quality. However, the 0-1 loss to Everton last round was a wake-up call, exposing some of the problems with taking chances in matches against organized opposition, which, frankly, is not very Villa-like.

On the road, Villa looks pragmatic and collected. Five wins, three draws and three defeats is a balance that shows the ability to adapt to difficult conditions. Emery’s team does not always dominate possession (almost never, especially against top opponents), but they know how to wait for their chance and punish the smallest mistakes. The Spanish coach has built a model that combines positional discipline, competent rotation of the lineup and composure in the final phase of attacks.