Battle to avoid relegation set to go to the wire
Newcastle could give themselves a significant boost in their bid to avoid relegation and after last week's crucial victory over Palace, Benitez has warned his side against complacency at Villa Park.
"The mood is very positive," he said at his pre-match press conference. "The players are happy and training well. Everyone has the right mentality to approach a difficult game.
"We have an important message for the players this week: no complacency and concentrate. We have to be focused.
"I do not see an easy game. I see a difficult game. They (Villa) need a win because of the fans, the club and the history."
Confidence is growing at Newcastle but Villa are facing the prospect of an unwanted club record in their final home match of a disappointing campaign. Defeat on Saturday would be their 12th in a row, surpassing the tally set back in 1963.
Villa came close to arresting their torrid run last week, conceding two late Troy Deeney goals to surrender a 2-1 lead at Watford, and interim manager Eric Black wants to see a similar level of effort from his players against Newcastle in order to help win back the fans.
"That's all I think we can do," said Black, "That's what we've spoken about with the players.
"It's a fantastic football club with fantastic supporters and everything that surrounds it. It's about getting one little step, as small as it is, to getting the supporters back on side."
Kieran Richardson (calf) is a doubt for Villa, who also have Aly Cissokho suspended after his red card against Watford. Gabriel Agbonlahor, who stepped down as captain last week, is unlikely to return.
Benitez will have Vurnon Anita back from a muscle problem whilst Daryl Janmaat is also available for selection. Fabricio Coloccini (calf) is expected to miss out, although Yoan Gouffran could be available after a muscle injury.
Newcastle United (from): Darlow, Dummett, Good, Haidara, Lascelles, Mbemba, Taylor, Aarons, Anita, Colback, De Jong, Gouffran, Saivet, Shelvey, Sissoko, Tiote, Townsend, Wijnaldum, Cisse, Doumbia, Mitrovic, Perez, Riviere, Toney.
Aston Villa (from): Bunn, Guzan, Bacuna, Clark, Hutton, Lescott, Okore, Richards, Richardson, Gil, Gueye, Grealish, N'Zogbia, Sanchez, Sinclair, Veretout, Westwood, Agbonlahor, Ayew, Gestede, Kozak, Traore.
Match Appointments
Referee: Robert Madley Assistants: P Kirkup, M Perry Fourth Official: L Mason
Match Facts
- Newcastle are undefeated in their last nine Barclays Premier League matches against Aston Villa (W5 D4 L0).
- Only four goals have been scored in the last four BPL meetings between these sides.
- Newcastle (W2 D2) have gone four games unbeaten in the League for the first time since October-November 2014.
- Aston Villa will hope to avoid a new club record for the longest run of league defeats, having also recorded 11 successive losses in 1963.
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Newcastle could give themselves a significant boost in their bid to avoid relegation and after last week's crucial victory over Palace, Benitez has warned his side against complacency at Villa Park.
"The mood is very positive," he said at his pre-match press conference. "The players are happy and training well. Everyone has the right mentality to approach a difficult game.
"We have an important message for the players this week: no complacency and concentrate. We have to be focused.
"I do not see an easy game. I see a difficult game. They (Villa) need a win because of the fans, the club and the history."
Confidence is growing at Newcastle but Villa are facing the prospect of an unwanted club record in their final home match of a disappointing campaign. Defeat on Saturday would be their 12th in a row, surpassing the tally set back in 1963.
Villa came close to arresting their torrid run last week, conceding two late Troy Deeney goals to surrender a 2-1 lead at Watford, and interim manager Eric Black wants to see a similar level of effort from his players against Newcastle in order to help win back the fans.
"That's all I think we can do," said Black, "That's what we've spoken about with the players.
"It's a fantastic football club with fantastic supporters and everything that surrounds it. It's about getting one little step, as small as it is, to getting the supporters back on side."
Kieran Richardson (calf) is a doubt for Villa, who also have Aly Cissokho suspended after his red card against Watford. Gabriel Agbonlahor, who stepped down as captain last week, is unlikely to return.
Benitez will have Vurnon Anita back from a muscle problem whilst Daryl Janmaat is also available for selection. Fabricio Coloccini (calf) is expected to miss out, although Yoan Gouffran could be available after a muscle injury.
Newcastle United (from): Darlow, Dummett, Good, Haidara, Lascelles, Mbemba, Taylor, Aarons, Anita, Colback, De Jong, Gouffran, Saivet, Shelvey, Sissoko, Tiote, Townsend, Wijnaldum, Cisse, Doumbia, Mitrovic, Perez, Riviere, Toney.
Aston Villa (from): Bunn, Guzan, Bacuna, Clark, Hutton, Lescott, Okore, Richards, Richardson, Gil, Gueye, Grealish, N'Zogbia, Sanchez, Sinclair, Veretout, Westwood, Agbonlahor, Ayew, Gestede, Kozak, Traore.
Match Appointments
Referee: Robert Madley Assistants: P Kirkup, M Perry Fourth Official: L Mason
Match Facts
- Newcastle are undefeated in their last nine Barclays Premier League matches against Aston Villa (W5 D4 L0).
- Only four goals have been scored in the last four BPL meetings between these sides.
- Newcastle (W2 D2) have gone four games unbeaten in the League for the first time since October-November 2014.
- Aston Villa will hope to avoid a new club record for the longest run of league defeats, having also recorded 11 successive losses in 1963.
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