Newcastle have scored the first goal in 10 of their last 13 league matches and nine of 11 at home
Aston Villa have not led at the break away from home in the league this season
Recommended Bet: Newcastle to lead at Half-Time
Newcastle will look to build on their morale-boosting midweek win when Aston Villa visit St James' Park for a tough Premier League assignment on Sunday.
Eddie Howe's side produced a commanding 3-0 Champions League win over PSV on Wednesday and have recently begun to pick up some league momentum too.
Villa, meanwhile, edged past Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday thanks to Jadon Sancho's winner, but their league form has tailed off with only one win from their last four outings.
Manager Unai Emery is going to be without key midfielders John McGinn and Boubacar Kamara for this trip to Tyneside, where Villa have not won on any of their last 17 visits.
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Team news
Howe will give Bruno Guimaraes every chance to prove his fitness for Sunday's game after the Magpies skipper limped off with an ankle problem on Wednesday.
His place in the midfield could go to Lewis Miley, who has been operating as an emergency right-back of late.
Dan Burn (rib) and Will Osula (ankle) are pushing for recalls to the squad, but Tino Livramento (hamstring), Emil Krafth (knee), Fabian Schar (ankle) and Jacob Murphy (hamstring) all remain sidelined.
As for Villa, McGinn, Kamara and Ross Barkley (all knee) have been ruled out, leaving Emery short of options in midfield.
Amadou Onana makes a timely return to fitness and could displace Lamare Bogarde in the middle, while Sancho will hope his goal in Turkey can land him a rare Premier League start too.
Emi Martinez (calf) will be assessed after sitting out the midweek success, with Marco Bizot on standby to make his fifth league start of the campaign in goal.
The stats
Newcastle are unbeaten in their last 17 home league games against Aston Villa (W11 D6), while the Magpies have won six and drawn two of their last eight home Premier League matches.
Villa have failed to score in their last two league games, registering 33 shots without success.
Emery's team have failed to lead at half-time in any of their 11 top-flight away trips this season, while Newcastle have scored the opening goal in nine of their 11 home league matches this term.
However, the hosts they have not won a Premier League game without Guimaraes in their starting XI since his arrival on Tyneside.
The latest Newcastle vs Aston Villa odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Newcastle have rarely disappointed their fans at home, regularly making fast starts to their matches on Tyneside.
The Magpies have been ahead at half-time in five of their 11 home league games and their last three Champions League matches.
Villa are the polar opposites when they are on the road, often relying on late comebacks to pick up vital wins such as those against Chelsea, West Ham and Brighton.
Howe's side have the perfect springboard to start well after overwhelming PSV on Wednesday, while Villa could be jaded from their trip to Turkey on Thursday.
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