← The Athletic FC Podcast
The Athletic FC Podcast
Man United's Europa League madness & can Villa halt Newcastle's charge?
00:39:40
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- [00:01]
Ryan Reynolds
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- [02:14]
Matt Davis Adams
The Athletic FC Podcast Network.
- [02:21]
Mark Critchley
Hello, I'm Matt Davis Adams. Welcome to the preview on the Athletic fc. There are six games to go in the Premier league season and this week we're focusing on the race for Champions league football as Aston Villa take on Newcastle United whilst Manchester United and Spurs kept their dreams of qualifying for next season's competition alive with victories in the Europa League. Before we look ahead to this weekend's action, we have to start by looking back at that unbelievable game at Old Trafford first of all where Reuben Amarim's side dragged their season out of the ashes in quite extraordinary fashion as they scored twice in the final minute of extra ton time to complete a staggering comeback from four two down against ten man Leon at Old Trafford.
- [03:04]
Matt Davis Adams
Let's just break for a second to remember there might be penalties here this casemiro.
- [03:16]
Mark Critchley
Mark Critchley was there for the Athletic and joins us now. Mark, simple question. What on earth happened?
- [03:24]
Jacob Tanswell
Look, when I got asked to do this podcast appearance at about half ten last night, I thought, yeah, no problem, I can do that. You know, I'm sure 12 hours from now I'll be able to articulate exactly what just happened. But I'm afraid you've booked the wrong guest because I'm absolutely known well sir, to being able to do that. But I'll give it a go. I think the best way of summing it up is to say that in the 120th minute I had written an item for our on the whistle briefing that criticized Reuben Amrun's reluctance to use the substitutions, the substitutions when he made them sticking Kobe main up front and how ridiculous it was that when you know everything's collapsing around them that the best idea that they've got is to stick Harry Maguire up top. And then by the 121st minute I had to throw all that out of the window and totally reverse was just an extraordinary night in. In the context of the club season, in the context of the club's history, it was. It was a game that maybe the only game I've ever been to where I almost just lost track of the sequence of events and the goals in half an hour afterwards I still wasn't entirely clear what the scoreline was. It was just incredible. And yeah, I think it will be remembered as up there with Barcelona in 84 Barcelona 2008, you know, just one of the greatest European nights in old chopper's history.
- [04:38]
Mark Critchley
Yeah, it was incredible. If it makes you feel any better, I was listing on 5 live on my way back from Stamford Bridge and they'd started their eulogy long before Kobe Mainu scored. So what does this mean for United then? I guess the simple answer is it keeps their season alive.
- [04:54]
Jacob Tanswell
Yeah, absolutely. I mean, it wasn't just about crashing out of Europe this season, but next as well. United need to win the Europa League to have any chance of playing in Europe next season or qualify for the Champions League if they do. Otherwise it would have been the first outside of Europe in 11 years. I think that's only happened twice in the last 35 years. People have been saying Bilbao bust has been the phrase, and it was very much that United. You know, there's a financial aspect to this. United need the money that European football brings. They've spent years living a Champions League lifestyle and the Europa League budget, and there's essentially. Last night was essentially £85 million on the table if they could get through and then progress all the way, win this competition and then qualify for the Champions League. And you had Reuben Amarin this week saying, you know, Champions League will change absolutely everything. So there's that aspect to it, and that's really important. But I also think, look, step away from the financial side, the money, and. And that. And that side of things. If United win Europa League, it. It helps validate this idea that there is more to come, you know, from Ruben Amarim, and that things will get better, because that is honestly all that a lot of United fans have had to cling to for much of this season. This. The sense that once Amarim is given time, once he has the players, things will improve. I'd be lying if I said that it hasn't been hard to believe that at times. Right. And there's absolutely no guarantees that it will work out either if they. If they do go and win the Europa League. But it's that sense of hope and that sense of progress that United fans have been desperate to cling on to. And I think, you know, ending the season successfully, if they can progress through the semi finals and win that final in Wilbao, you know, that would be huge for him.
- [06:34]
Mark Critchley
As for Amarim, what did he have to say after the match? Was it. Was it some kind of Portuguese equivalent of football? Bloody hell.
- [06:41]
Jacob Tanswell
I wonder what that is in Portuguese. Actually, I really got the translational. He was talking. Yeah, look, he mentioned that he'd actually watched the 99 documentary for inspiration before the game, which obviously focus on quote is from. And he was saying how, you know, you need these moments as a team, as a club, and it Helps players form bonds with each other. It helps forms connection with the fans, which, you know, has been damaged a little bit over the last few years at this club. You can just forget for a few minutes just how miserable the season has been. And he was saying as well that, you know, if anyone's in any doubt that the Europa League is the priority now. It was actually only last month he didn't do with TNT Sport before the Real Sociedad game where he said that he doesn't even think that winning the Europa League could save the season. Now I wonder if he still thinks that because I don't think anybody inside Old Trafford last night could really deny the power and the significance of that last couple of minutes of extra time. So this Europa League campaign now takes on an even greater significance, I think, than the one that had before. People were talking about it being the biggest game of United season. Well, now they've got at least two more of those to come.
- [07:52]
Mark Critchley
And if the Europa League is pretty much the sole focus, I guess that means rest and rotation for the rest of the Premier League season. Starting with Wolves coming to Old Trafford on Sunday.
- [08:02]
Jacob Tanswell
Yeah, I think, you know, hammering was quite clear last night that a lot of the players are tired, a lot of players are fatigued. And it was interesting to note that he mentioned that that might mean that they have to potentially turn to the academy and turn to some of the kids and play the kids. And it's something that a lot of United fans have been calling for this season. The under 18s have had a couple of great years under Adam Lawrence, performing really well and obviously, you know, crisis, opportunity, all that sort of thing. They've wanted to see youngsters be given a chance and it sounds like we can expect to see that over the final weeks of the season. You saw 18 year old Harry Mass come in last night, play the last 20 minutes of extra time. He started against Newcastle as well. Chido Obi has had opportunities in the Premier League. He's not registered in Europe, so you can expect him to get more Premier League minutes down the stretch. And United are already in a situation where they're having to fill out the bench with youngsters. There was a. There's a few on there last night. Jack Morehouse, fielder Jayden Camerson, Gogoni Kokonki. Sorry. Look, there might be other teams in the league who have an issue with that. And obviously United have a duty to the integrity of the league. I don't think it'll be a swathe of, you know, teenagers that are starting these games. But Amram is going to have to manage that carefully over the, over the next few weeks, try to try and balance the two. It's difficult. You know, I sometimes question whether you can, you know, simply turn it off and turn it on. But that's the kind of predicament that United are in. And the academy motto is you've covered success. And I guess he hopes that Carrington and the Academy still has a part to play in turn this season into something of a success by the end of it.
- [09:36]
Mark Critchley
We shall see. Well, you can get plenty more reaction from Old Trafford on the Athletics Manchester United podcast Talk of the Devils. But for now, Mark, thanks very much.
- [09:44]
Jacob Tanswell
Cheers.
- [09:45]
Mark Critchley
We should also give a nod to Tottenham Hotspur overshadowed by Manchester United on Thursday night. Dominic Solanke's first half penalty kept spurs season alive as they beat Eintracht Frankfurt to reach the semi finals of the Europa League. Jay Harris was there for us and sent us this voice note with his reflections from Frankfurt.
- [10:05]
Jay Harris
Everybody knew Tottenham's game against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday evening was season defining and that there could be massive repercussions for Ange Postecoglou. When I landed at Frankfurt airport on Wednesday morning, one of the border control officers actually joked that every spurs fan he'd spoken to was really pessimistic about their chances of winning, but that's exactly what they managed to do. This is a really mature and disciplined performance across the two legs. They were defensively solid and that's not something, that's not a phrase we've used to describe spurs very often this season. Huge credit to Dominic Solanke. He had scored in his last 11 appearances. He takes that penalty after Maddison was wiped out by Frankfurt's goalkeeper and the noise inside the stadium was deafening. I couldn't even hear myself think. How Solanke kept his call under pressure in that moment, I'll never know. But now it falls on the shoulders of Dominic Solanke.
- [10:58]
Chris Wo
11 games without a goal.
- [11:00]
Jay Harris
This for the lead in the tie.
- [11:02]
Chris Wo
Dom Solanke of Tottenham Hotspur makes it.
- [11:05]
Jay Harris
One nil on the night, two one on aggregate. I think coming into the two legs there was a real question mark about who should start at left back. I think Jed Spence has been fantastic over the last few months, but it was destiny. A doggy who started both games and I have to say he was by far the man of the match yesterday evening. He was fantastic in and out of possession. Just to give you a sense of what this means for the spurs team full time, the coaching staff will jump to Postecoglou. Vicaria runs over and joins them as well. Richarlison's running onto the pitch. Postecoglou goes over, gives Dominic Solanke a massive hug and then at the end of the game he walked down the tunnel with his arm wrapped around Madison. This was massive. You could feel the release of all those emotions. And you know Postecoglou can look forward now to the semi final against Bodo Glimpse. You can sort of plot their path to that final in Bilbao on May 21. I think Postecogli feels quite vindicated. Everybody was asking questions about his long term future, but he's managed to pull off a massive result. He couldn't resist having a pop at the journalist in the room. His final line of the press conference.
- [12:09]
Chris Wo
Was unfortunately for a lot of you.
- [12:11]
Matt Davis Adams
You'Re going to have to put up.
- [12:11]
Chris Wo
With me for a little bit longer, mate.
- [12:13]
Jay Harris
We'll see what happens over the rest of the season. But this was a fantastic result for spurs.
- [12:21]
Jacob Tanswell
Right?
- [12:21]
Mark Critchley
How do you follow up that red hot Europa League action? By looking ahead to a huge matchup in the chase for a place in next season's Champions League in our featured game, Aston Villa versus Newcastle United.
- [12:36]
Ryan Reynolds
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- [14:39]
Mark Critchley
Joining me now are the Athletics Newcastle United writer Chris Wo, Aston Villa correspondent Jacob Tanswell and Newcastle and Villa, the Premier League's form teams. Chris, you've written on the Athletic today. Newcastle season's been built on their massively improved away form. What's behind that, do you think?
- [14:57]
Matt Davis Adams
Yeah, I mean Newcastle's home form is almost identical, actually regressed slightly on the past couple of seasons. Whereas last year the reason that they dropped from fourth position the year before to finish in seventh was that their away form for large parts was was very poor. The only one six matches away from home, only 33.3% of the points came on the road. Whereas this year it was something which Newcastle knew they had to address that if they could continue the home form it would be picking up those extra points away that would get them there. They're already on eight wins. They've got a 50% win ratio which is the highest ever in the Premier League era. If they win one of them in three games and it'll be a joint Premier League record for them in terms of away victories. And I think that's come about for a variety of reasons. One of which is the obvious of actually they weren't in Europe this year and so last year whereas their squad was stretched and they used the second highest number of players in the Premier League, this year they've used the second fewest and they've been able to to have a largely settled side, certainly a settled defense as they did two years ago. And having that core group of players has really benefited them. And also they've changed style slightly. They've actually been a bit more counter attacking. They have sat a little bit deeper and looked to really catch teams on the break. They've got the second highest number of chances created from sort of fast breaks this season. What they do is they have players Anthony Gordon, Alexander, Isak, Jacob Murphy who can really bomb forward and cause the opposition problems. And so I think Eddie Howe has both tweaked things tactically and also just the fact that Newcastle have had greater player availability means that rather than the comforts of home, they've been able to transition some of that form onto the road as well.
- [16:31]
Mark Critchley
And that's one of the things, Jacob, that makes this game so intriguing. Because at home Villa feel that they can beat anyone. Haven't lost in the league there since August 2024. What's Unai Emery done to make make them so difficult to beat a Villa Park?
- [16:43]
Chris Wo
Yeah, I think the eye test kind of belies the data because if you look actually the Data is only 4 points gap between Villa's home and away form. But when you look at how they play, Villa are just far more confident, far bolder at home. They've only lost like you say once at home and that was against Arsenal and arguably one of their best performances of the season. They missed a lot of chance in that game and they could have won that game. But Villa's home form has been a strength for Emerys for the last couple of years. You remember last year they went on a record breaking run of 15 straight wins at home and it kind of was the foundation for them qualifying in the top four. If you look at how Villa play at home now, they're always wanting to impose themselves. Emery always uses the word protagonist because that's how he wants to play. And you see in these Champions League nights, these nights where Villa take big scalps, Villa park does get very, very loud for the big games. And Newcastle will be one of those games. Especially with the the history of, of Jason Tindall and what happened on Boxing Day, of Duran's red cards and how close these two teams seem to be in the last couple of years. It's going to be a ferocious atmosphere and I expect Villa to, to go out and try and start very well.
- [17:45]
Mark Critchley
Oh yeah, John Duran. Remember him Chris? Newcastle moved up to third on Wednesday with that thumping win over over Palace. Was it as straightforward as the scoreline suggested?
- [17:55]
Matt Davis Adams
Yes it was. Aside from a var. Well penalty that was that was awarded and then at that point that was a 1 nil. And if ever Chiese had scored rather than taking a contender for the worst penalty in the history of the Premier League after like a three pronged run up and then just passed Nick Pope then it may have been different at that stage. But Newcastle scored 98 seconds later and really actually second off the 40 up at halftime and second half they didn't really get out of second gear. So Newcastle scored nine and conceded only one of their two. In the two games this week they haven't even had Eddie Howe on the touchline because he's recovering from pneumonia. So since Jason Tindall and Graham Jones the two assistants have taken charge. Newcastle just continued the form that when previously had six straight wins in all competitions using the same 11 in each of those matches which I don't think a Premier League side has done across all competitions since 2016. Sunderland. So it's been a consistency in that selection that they are in very very good form. And yeah I mean Jacob mentioned and Jason Tindall there is the sort of irony that the first away game that he takes charge of with any how out is is going to Villa park where yeah I suppose there were fireworks you could call it in the. In the tunnel at half time of the. Of the game that St. James is there in December. So that should be very tasty I imagine.
- [19:07]
Mark Critchley
Yeah. Another subplot as if we needed any more narrative for this game. Villa also played midweek in league. It was close but not close enough. 132 on the night but went out 54 on aggregate against Paris Saint Germain. Marcus Rashford was a standout player in the game for many. Jacob. So how come Unai Emery substituted him?
- [19:26]
Chris Wo
That was the the question afterwards. I think you can never be too harsh on on a manager when he somehow rallies a team that's 5:1 down an aggregate half time and he almost gets Villa back into it. But you're probably looking at Rashford. But I probably argue that the biggest substitution and the one that was more costly was the John McGinn one. If you saw Rashford, he was fantastic for those 15 minutes where Villa came back into it. But he then gradually went off to Boyle. In the last 10 minutes he was on the pitch where John McGinn was the captain, the guy that got Villa back into things. And he was probably the one that they missed the most in terms of his energy. I think Rashford has shown when he is on it, Villa are on it. And that second half. Emery admitted afterwards that Villa have not reached levels like that in his tenure. They were absolutely incredible. And they kind of probably ran out of steam those last 15 minutes when those two subs went off for Newcastle.
- [20:14]
Mark Critchley
No Champions League football this season Chris. But they're placing the top five is looking if not assured then then very much in the offing. But could a second place finish be beyond them? Arsenal got distractions of their own now.
- [20:28]
Matt Davis Adams
I mean a few weeks ago you would have said that was absolutely fanciful. And top five was very much the ambition and at some points even look like it may be an outside ambition. But Newcastle's form has just been such that they have dragged themselves up then they are very much favorites now out of that group of from third down to sort of eighth as to who will finish in the top five. And in the position they're in now will be a significant disappointment if they didn't finish in that group. I mean certainly if they get a positive result of Villa park tomorrow then you'd struggle to see how Villa are going to close that gap in the remaining matches. And so now they're only four points behind Arsenal. As you mentioned Arsenal have the potential distraction of the Champions League. Newcastle still have to go to the Emirates as well where historically they've got an appalling record. Did win there in the Carabao cup semi final earlier this year. They were. They were brilliant. They. They've beaten Arsenal three times this season without conceding. It just feels like Newcastle have had a bit one over on Arteta and also he's now a different dynamic particularly we don't know what the situation could be with Eddie Howe. But I do think that that Newcastle can be looking up rather than worrying too much about what's over the shoulders. Now I say there's ahead of the Villa game. If Newcastle were to go there and lose then things tighten up a little bit. But their superior goal difference. The fact that Chelsea seem to be in a stutter and run. You do feel that unless NEWC completely collapse then they are looking like clear favorites to finish in that top five.
- [21:46]
Mark Critchley
Premier League all the way for the Magpies. Then Villa meanwhile still got an FA cup semi final to contend with. Securing Champions League football. More important for the club's future though Jacob. I mean supporters want trophies don't they? But accountants like money.
- [22:01]
Chris Wo
Exactly. And I think if you ask dude I. Emery. He's always been very consistent saying that the Premier League's the first priority. If you ask the guys off the, off the field they will say the same in terms of Villa will will still be burning by PSR and they'll still have to sell at some point. But it will make life a little bit easier. They can keep a bigger squad, they can attract better players. But if you are a Villa fan and you watch the scenes of Newcastle's Carabao cup when they want that they think this era deserves a trophy and this emery is to be rubber stamped by, by silverware. So you know if you ask them I think they've got a really good opportunity now to, to win the FA Cup. They feel that they're in. They're coming into their peak of the season. I think if you looked at the start of the season they were very average but they. They've had obviously a very strong transfer window in January and they felt that actually we can really peak in the last couple of of weeks of the season when a lot of the other teams are kind of stuttering like you've alluded to. And if you look at last year Villa kind of limped over the line when finishing top four when now they feel a much, much fresher. I think it's the first time this season they've got every single player available. So there's no reason why they can't attack all fronts and give everything, you know, FA cup game against Crystal palace next week and the Newcastle game a real big go.
- [23:08]
Mark Critchley
Newcastle obviously already got their trophy in the cabinet. Chris. Really impressive, isn't it? There's been absolutely no hangover from that league cup win. They've managed to keep the momentum going even with things like Eddie Howe not being on the touchline for them at the moment. That's it's just so impressive.
- [23:24]
Matt Davis Adams
Yeah. I mean since Eddie Howe's come to Newcastle they have tended to finish seasons strongly. That's something that he is really instilled within them that tend to grow across the season. But there were definite question marks after winning the Carabao cup final as to whether that would, you know that the season would almost tail off because it's a historic year for Newcastle. It's the first domestic trophy they've won in 70 years. The first trophy of any form in 56. And they also had a sort of two week period where was the national break. Then they came back and still had the sort of celebrations on the town mooring in the center of Newcastle. And you didn't know whether that would inspire or almost. They just let that go their heads almost. But there are so many players within that group who are determined to get back to the Champions League believe they should be there like Alexander Isak, Sandra Tonali, Bruno Gimmere and then also Eddie Howe himself obviously before his illness. But he was never going to relent. That's just not the way that he is that he basically said he took the evening off of the Carabao Cup Final not watching Newcastle Analysis and then the next day he had to because that's just how who and what he is. And so yeah, the players have managed to. To. To really get in their groove. They are desperate to keep this run going. You can see the confidence there. You can see the enjoyment they've got in their football at the moment as well. Rather than feel pressure after that Cup Final, it almost feels like a release and they could go and enjoy the rest of the season. And now they've put themselves in a very, very strong position and even Eddie Howe not being there hasn't derailed them. And it's almost like now they are also playing for him. They want to do this for him and make sure that when he is back that his side are basically almost guaranteed Champions League football by that stage.
- [24:57]
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- [25:30]
Mark Critchley
So if we move on to the tactical battle between Newcastle and Villa. Eddie Howe's side took Villa apart in the reverse fixture. They won 30 on Boxing Day. Chris, how are Newcastle going to approach this one then? Is. Is midfield the key battle here?
- [25:44]
Matt Davis Adams
It is. I mean Newcastle in this sort of Emery. I was going to say Henry Howe battles. I suppose it isn't this weekend the. The Emery Howe Tindall battles since. Since Emery's come in the first. The first match Newcastle went to Villa Park Villa tore them apart. And it was the really. It was that Champions League season. It was the one time all season really that Newcastle were turned over by an opponent. But since then Newcastle have sort of had their number a little bit and. And tend to really exploit the high line that Villa often play 51 at St. James's at the start of last season. They tend to score quite a few goals against them. They went to Villa park and scored a few last season as well. So Newcastle's midfield is arguably the most inform at the moment and possibly the most complete alongside probably Villas. You look at the sort of different elements that Newcastle have. Sandra Tonali has been absolutely exceptional and. And he's really. Since he's moved into the number six rule at the back end of last year. Newcastle have looked a different side. Because he just orchestrates on and off the ball. He's everywhere. He's more than just a typical number six and he just controls matches. Then Bruno slightly high up the pitch. He's creating opportunities from there. And then Joel Inton is just like this man Mountain. All action everywhere gives them that physicality. And the three of them dovetail really really well. And so if Newcastle can get there and win possession, break up, play well with Villa and then use that. That I mentioned the fast breaks earlier on that Newcastle have used on the all season away from home. That's what they'll be looking to do with Villa Park. Certainly if Villa do play with their usual sort of high line and if they win the ball and then send the likes of Murphy, Harvey Barnes and Alexander Reesak in behind. That's where Newcastle will really look to exploit.
- [27:11]
Mark Critchley
As for Villa, Jacob. They've had 24 hours extra rest. But I guess they probably expended quite a lot more emotion in their game against PSG than than Newcastle did against Palace. Is there going to be much rotation from from Emory this weekend do you think? Maybe we see Ollie Watkins in from the off.
- [27:27]
Jacob Tanswell
Yeah.
- [27:27]
Chris Wo
It wouldn't be a surprise at all. If you look at the last couple of league games. Villa have made eight changes each time. Because they've got such a big squad now. Obviously like I say, everyone's fit. They were bolstered in January and even though for example when and Forest a few weeks back they made eight changes for that game and it was supposed to be the second string team. But you still had £50 million signing in Amadou Andana Co. You still had Ollie Watkins coming in. You still had 37 million pound Ian Matson coming in. So this is going to be a very strong team. Regardless. On Chris's point, I think the last couple of games, last three games actually Newcastle won by an aggregate scoreline of 11 2. And basically every goal Newcastle scored has been through them. Either overpowering Villa with their superior athleticism or through set plays as well where if you look at what Emery did against PSG and what he's done in a few big games is he'll add another midfielder in. So he'll add a. He'll make a box midfield. So he might bring Anana, Tillemans, Kamaru and McGinn just to add another body in there. So I do expect there to be a few changes. But you do want to keep that core that played against PSG to fight against what's going to be a fantastic Newcastle midfield.
- [28:28]
Mark Critchley
Newcastle's team. Probably a bit easier to predict. Chris. Jacob Murphy's going to be in there for sure. In the form of his life just now. In his past 18 Premier League games he's been involved in 17 goals scored. Eight, nine assists. Risks. What is it about Newcastle's style of play that allows him to thrive?
- [28:44]
Matt Davis Adams
Yeah, I mean Jacob Murphy is sort of again absolute testament to the work that Eddie Howe, Jason Tindall and the coaching staff have done. Is that yes Newcastle have signed a lot of players post takeover and they've been important. But Joel Linton is a player transformed. Fabian Share is still in very very good form. And then Jacob Murphy who was a laughingstock a few years ago. Newcastle kept loading him out. He couldn't get near the team. And he was one of those players who you thought is going to be shipped out quite quickly post takeover. But instead he stuck around. He was actually behind Miguel Almiron in the side for a lot for a large spel. But really I think it's almost been to get the best out of Alexander Isak is to get Jacob Murphy a right sided right winger. Right footed right winger which is rare in the Premier League nowadays. Usually having Verd wingers but actually having someone who hogs the touchline. And when he gets the ball his job most of the time is just to get the ball in the box. I think within 30 seconds against palace he put a wonderful ball in which East X probably should have scored from. There's that connection that there is there. He's grown in confidence. He's a player who exasperates with the matches because he can just pass the ball. The opposition do something you think a Premier League player shouldn't do. But he also does cross the ball a heck of a lot. And because he has a very good cross on him. Newcastle are profiting from that and Newcastle are putting him in the position more often. And he's gained in confidence. And now he's taken shots from distance. He scored a sublime goal against palace himself from. From A tight angle. So he has worked very hard on his game. He is not Newcastle's best player in terms of technically by any stretch of imagination. But he has profited from the confidence that's been shown him and also the really that the style that Newcastle tried to get in the ball as often as possible in those wide positions and then build that relationship with Alexander Isak calls from to be in the England squad. If he'd said that even six months ago, people would have rightly sort of gone why would that be the case? But at the moment, the only player who's got more assists in the Premier League this season is more Salah. Since the start of December, the only two players in the Premier League who have more goal involvements are more Salah and Alexander Isak. This is sustained, very, very good form. And I'm not sure even Salah is in good form as a right winger at the moment in the Premier League. And that really does say how well he's playing.
- [30:39]
Ryan Reynolds
Well.
- [30:40]
Mark Critchley
PSG had some joy against Villa in transition, so that'll be a danger I guess. Jacob for Villa at the weekend with Murphy, Isaac, even Harvey Barnes who's in great form at the moment. I mean they could bring Anthony Gordon in as well.
- [30:53]
Chris Wo
Yeah, definitely. I think one of the big issues for Villa in that going into that second leg was the fact that they had to take more risks than they did in the first leg because PSG had that, you know, two goal advantage. So naturally there was going to be more space. I don't think Villa will be quite as ambitious in how they press. If you looked at PSG's first two two goals in the first half in terms of Onana almost wins the ball back in the 18 yard box. The ball gets turned over, they score down the other end. Rashford goes 1v1. He loses the ball, they score down the other end. I don't think Villa will be this open whenever Villa play Newcastle. Emery always talks about in his pre match press conference about rest defense, which obviously is very interesting in terms of guarding against counter attacks. And he's very wary of that. If you saw that 51 defeat last year, Villa's high line was staggering. Really. It was naively high. They're not going this time. I think they've reduced it quite noticeably in the last couple of months. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Villa just kind of be quite passive really and let Newcastle defenders have the ball. Because you know, if they can keep the play in front of them, it's better than having to get into a foot race with. With these midfielders and front three which are probably more athletic and stronger than them. So it's going to be very interesting what Emery does every game. As we know, he. He tweaks the system. He tweaks how Villa approach things and that's why they can be quite unpredictable in a good way in recent times.
- [32:09]
Mark Critchley
Give me a prediction then, Jacob, what's the score going to be on Saturday?
- [32:12]
Chris Wo
I think Villa are due to be Newcastle so I'll go three one Villa.
- [32:17]
Mark Critchley
Chris, I suspect that you think it might be something different.
- [32:20]
Matt Davis Adams
Yeah, I don't usually like to sit on the fence in these things, but because both sides are in such good form, I actually think they might cancel each other out a bit. I do think there'll be goals. I'm going to go for twos each.
- [32:29]
Mark Critchley
All right. Sounds like fun.
- [32:30]
Matt Davis Adams
Which would be Newcastle's first draw I think in the Premier League since the start of December. Newcastle don't draw games, so that would be a rare.
- [32:36]
Mark Critchley
All right, well, that will do for Villa vs Newcastle. When we come back, we'll have a quick chat about what else is happening in terms of the Champions League chases.
- [32:47]
Ryan Reynolds
I was never really a runner.
- [32:49]
Matt Davis Adams
The way I see running is a gift.
- [32:52]
Ryan Reynolds
Especially when you have stage four cancer. I'm Ann. I'm running the Boston Marathon. Presented by bank of America. I run for Dana Farber Cancer Institute to give people like me a chance to thrive in life even with cancer. Join bank of America in helping Anne's cause. Give if you can@b of a.com supportan what would you like the power to do? References to charitable organizations is not endorsement by bank of America Corporation. Copyright 2025.
- [33:17]
Matt Davis Adams
McDonald's meets the Minecraft universe with one of six collectibles and your choice of a Big Mac or 10 piece McNuggets with spicy nether Flame sauce. Now available. Available with a Minecraft movie meal at.
- [33:29]
Ryan Reynolds
Participating McDonald's for a limited time. A Minecraft movie only in theaters.
- [33:36]
Mark Critchley
And of course there are plenty of other sides looking to break into the top five. It's Forest City and Chelsea, isn't it? Any of those teams particularly concern you, Jacob?
- [33:48]
Chris Wo
From a Villa perspective, I always worry about Man City. You do feel like they're. They're kind of shifting into this new phase already with the signings they made in in January and obviously the Crystal palace last week where they obviously came back after, you know, being two goals down. They look a lot more energetic, a little bit more youthful. So you obviously have to worry about them. Chelsea just look like a team that there's just constant tension there with the manager. And there's a clash in ideology with how Maresca wants to play and the fans want to play. And for us, Forest. I know you're a Forest fan, Matt. I think they are kind of almost in a way stumbling over the line similar to what Villa did last year. Because it's their first time in that top four race, top five race. They've obviously had a lot of pressure. They've been up there. They've been the. That everyone's been trying to chase. It's just about getting over the line now. So I think Villa and Newcastle have their sights on them.
- [34:37]
Mark Critchley
Chris. I guess you'll say that. You know, you've seen Newcastle deal with Forest pretty comprehensively twice this season. Probably what's in Forest favor is that their running looks relatively kind. They go to spurs on Monday night. They got Brentford at home. They still got to go to West Ham. Still got to play Leicester at home. And then Chelsea on the last day. So. So maybe they could be a bit of a threat to Newcastle. He asked.
- [34:59]
Matt Davis Adams
Hopefully potentially. I mean Newcastle don't have a massively easy run and certainly away from home. They're good obviously Villa, they've also got to go to Arsenal. They've got to go to Brighton, which is a ground that they haven't done particularly well at in recent years. So Newcastle have difficult away games to come. But they host Chelsea. They host Ipswich. Given the position Newcastle have already put themselves in, you'd like to think that of the sort of three remaining home games, they're probably going to win at least two of them you would like to think. And if they do that, that should be enough for them. So as I said earlier, I think Newcastle can be looking up, but they can't. So take the fourth of go. Certainly if they lose Villa suddenly maybe the nerves start to get to them a little bit and you know, sides are coming from below. But if they. If they can respond and beat Ipswich next weekend, I think if Newcastle can get four points certainly for the next two games they're almost there. So I don't think they'll be too concerned about this. They just need to keep doing what they're doing. They've put themselves in such a strong position that it's in their hands. And rather than worry about others, just make sure that they win probably three of the last games. And they should be there.
- [35:56]
Mark Critchley
Well, elsewhere. Manchester City go to Everton on Saturday and Chelsea make the short hop across West Lo to take on Fulham that after their embarrassing second leg defeat against Legia in the Conference League. That is where we will leave it today on the Athletic fc, which will be back on Monday. Many thanks to Jacob and to Chris and to Mark and to Jay for joining us earlier. Enjoy the football this weekend. For now it's goodbye.
- [36:24]
Chris Wo
You've been listening to the Athletic FC Podcast. The producers were Guy Clark, Mike Stavroo and Jay Beale.
- [36:30]
Mark Critchley
The executive producer was Aidy Moorhead.
- [36:32]
Chris Wo
To listen to other great athletic podcasts.
- [36:34]
Mark Critchley
For free, search for the Athletic on.
- [36:36]
Chris Wo
Apple, Spotify and all the usual places. The Athletic FC Podcast is an athletic media company production.
- [36:47]
Matt Davis Adams
The Athletic FC Podcast Network.