Hello and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE text commentary of the Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Newcastle. Having suffered back-to-back defeats, Dean Smith's side are looking to return to winning ways in what is their first home match since Boxing Day. Newcastle, meanwhile, have garnered just two points from a possible 21 and Steve Bruce is under increasing pressure to stop the rot. Who will come out on top tonight? Team news to follow, kick-off is just an hour away!
Premier League / Matchday 11
Villa Park / 23.01.2021
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- O. Watkins(13')
- B. Traoré(42')
Live
Live Updates
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Updated 23/01/2021 at 21:55 GMT
22'
Villa have taken the lead in eight Premier League games this season. They've gone on to win every time.
21'
Clever from Targett, who wins a free-kick from Manquillo in his own half to relieve the pressure on Villa.
20'
Newcastle are patient in their build-up as they search for a much-needed equaliser, but Manquillo's cross is headed clear by Mings.
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17'
Villa chance! A let off for Newcastle as Barkley meets Traore's free-kick but can't guide his header on target. Awful defending again from Bruce's side, who look totally devoid of confidence.
15'
Schar goes someway to making amends for that mistake by nipping in front of Grealish and ending another Villa attack.
13'
GOAL! Aston Villa 1-0 Newcastle (Ollie Watkins): Villa are ahead! More misery for Newcastle. Not for the first time, Targett gets far too much space on the flank to deliver a low cross. Schar doesn't get enough on his sliding clearance and Watkins pounces to end his goal drought and give the hosts the lead.
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Goal
O. Watkins
Aston Villa
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Goals1
On target1
11'
Villa build a move down the left flank, Targett wraps his foot around a teasing cross but Watkins, on the stretch, just can't reach it and the ball evades everyone in the penalty area.
8'
After a slow start, Villa are exerting pressure now. Lascelles is well positioned to clear from Cash's cross.
5'
Cash wins Villa their first corner of the match. It's played short and worked to Targett, who shoots from 30 yards. Any deflection may take it past Darlow but there's no contact and the Newcastle goalkeeper makes the stop.
4'
Almiron picks up a pocket of space on the edge of the box but rather scuffs his shot and it's the easiest of saves for Villa goalkeeper Martinez.
2'
Villa are appealing for offside as Wilson gets in between centre-back and full-back to receive the ball wide left. The flag stays down. but the cross is cut out by Nakamba before Grealish wins a foul to take the early pressure off the hosts.
1'
Kick-off! The players, staff and officials take the knee before Villa get us underway!
19:55
Five minutes until kick-off! It's Aston Villa versus Newcastle in the Premier League, it's LIVE and it's NEXT!
19:50
Is it time to end Bruce's time at Tyneside? That was the question raised as Newcastle crashed to a heavy defeat at Arsenal last time out.
19:45
Last time out, Villa defended excellently but ultimately fell to late goals as Man City continued their hot run of form.
19:40
John Terry is standing on for Smith on the touchline tonight, and he told Sky Sports: "It's nice coming home after three defeats, the players feel comfortable here. Steve [Bruce] is a great manager and will have them up for it tonight against his old club. But we are at home and fancy ourselves to pick up three points."
19:35
Aston Villa start the match in 11th place but Smith's side have games in hand on all clubs above them and can move as high as eighth with victory tonight. Villa are looking to keep three consecutive home clean sheets within the same Premier League campaign for the first time since December 2012 under Paul Lambert.
19:30
Pre-match stat: Aston Villa have won just one of their last 12 Premier League games against Newcastle (D6 L5), though they are unbeaten in four against the Magpies (W1 D3), winning 2-0 in this exact fixture last season.
19:25
Bruce on his former club Villa: "Aston Villa have made a huge investment in the last couple of seasons in particular. But they've bought very well. In two years I think the only player who will probably play tomorrow is (Jack) Grealish. The owners, when I was there, did their utmost to make sure they weren’t going to lose their crown jewel in Jack Grealish, who has flourished."
19:20
Smith on Newcastle: "They had a great start to the season with a great result at West Ham. You could see that the players all look bright and that they’ve got goalscorers within the team. They’re just going through one of those periods at the minute. We went through one last season – we haven’t had a period like it this season. You’re just waiting for something to kickstart you, and I’m sure it will. We have to make sure that it’s not against us.”