Newcastle desperate to ease relegation fears


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2020-21 English Premier League

Matchday 28 of 38

Newcastle United vs Aston Villa 

St. James Park
Newcastle, England
Friday, 13 March 2021
Kick-off is at 22:00 
 
Newcastle United will be eager to ease their own relegation fears when they host Aston Villa in a 2020-21 English Premier League match on Friday evening. 
 
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith
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The Magpies are just a single point above the relegation zone after being held to a 0-0 draw away to West Bromwich Albion last weekend. Newcastle are winless in four matches and Fulham's improved run of form has ensured a nervy end to the season for those fighting in and around the drop zone. 

"We're disappointed that we didn't win, of course, but the important thing - with the week we've had - was not to get beat," Newcastle manager Steve Bruce told nufc.co.uk following their goalless stalemate at the Hawthorns. 

"I think you saw that the players gave everything they've got to get something out of the game. That attitude and spirit was pretty evident.

"We lacked a bit of quality at the top end of the pitch, we had some opportunities and took the wrong option, but any team without their three main threats - to be without Allan (Saint-Maximin), Miggy (Almirón) and of course Callum (Wilson) is a big blow to us.

"So we have to find a way, certainly until they're back, of grinding out a few results. We'll take a point and it was imperative we didn't get beat," he added. 
 
Villa were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Wolves in their most recent league outing and remain within a shot of European football next season, despite an incosistent run of results in recent weeks. 
 
Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins
 Image copyright: Getty Images

Ollie Watkins and Bertrand Traore were on target for Villa in a 2-0 win over Newcastle in Birmingham earlier this season.
 

Newcastle United vs Aston Villa head-to-head statistics:

 
Matches played: 149
Newcastle United wins: 65
Aston Villa wins: 49
Draws: 35
 

English Premier League fixtures, matchday 28: 

 
Friday, 12 March 
 
22:00 - Newcastle United vs Aston Villa 
 
Saturday, 13 March 
 
14:30 - Leeds United vs Chelsea 
17:00 - Crystal Palace vs West Brom 
19:30 - Everton vs Burnley 
22:00 - Fulham vs Manchester City 
 
Sunday, 14 March
 
14:00 - Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:00 - Leicester City vs Sheffield United 
18:30 - Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur 
21:15 - Manchester United vs West Ham United 
 
Monday, 15 March 
 
22:00 - Wolves vs Liverpool 

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Published: 03/09/2021