Only once in the last 21 years have Aston Villa fans seen their team win at St James’ Park.

That single away victory was though the most recent visit in January, a 2-0 away win.

Fair to say that the two teams, the two squads, see Newcastle United and Aston Villa now with many changes due to the summer transfer activity.

United go into this match three points ahead of the visitors.

I find it very interesting the belief/arrogance of many Aston Villa fans seeing today as an easy win, considering the only Premier League win they have managed is a 3-2 narrow victory over struggling Tottenham.

Aston Villa fans commenting via their Villa Talk message board:

‘I really don’t know how this game goes, they are not the team they were the last few years with the players they’ve lost and I think we’ve signed better players than them this summer, but their home from is still decent and it’s always been a tough place to go. We could really do with a win here though as draws will not get us up the table.’

‘Manzambi Jackson Mbaye will be too much for this Newcastle defence. Newcastle 1-4 Villa.’

‘I would love to agree with you.

Premier and Europe 2 different animals.

If we can lose our markers, and negate the suffocating tactics that many teams employ in the league now…..yes, its possible.

Our Talent is unquestionable…..can we apply it, in these circumstances is questionable.’

‘The long trip to the North East & a long day for all of us making the trip.’

‘Elanga is out long term isn’t he? He started the season in electric form so that is massive blow for them in post Howe era.

So I think they’ll put Osula in for Pardo-Fernandez so we need to make sure one of Kamara/Gomes tracks Wissa reguarly.

Harvey Barnes will inevitably score as it is the law when he play us. Let’s play well enough in the final third that it is just a consolation strike please.’

‘We’ll win this and reasonably comfortably.

We broke our jinx up there last season and let’s be honest their team looks nowhere near as formidable as it has last few years with all of Gordon, Bruno G, Tonali and Isak all gone in last 12 months.

From the two away games they’ve played recently against Leeds and Coventry their heads drop as soon as they go 2-0 down and game quickly runs away so we need to keep up the intensity if we score first as there will be more chances on the break.

I get the feeling they’ll go a bit more physical against us as their team looks pretty lightweight currently but they did put on Joelinton and Dan Burn second half on Monday. Not sure either have got 90 minutes in them but wouldn’t shock me if both started. Can also see them starting Osula and Camara.

1-3 win and we’re back in the mid table pack comfortably with more room for improvement.’

‘The biggest detail is who is the ref? Hoping it’s not Oliver now he’s lost his UAE payday might fancy a quick trip to Saudi for a cool quarter million and put on a show as a result.’

‘Well Oliver is a Newcastle fan so he won’t ever have their games!’

‘Newcastle will be smarting after the Coventry defeat and they’ll be looking to put that right. However, questions over the new coach and some of their summer recruitment already surfacing. The natives aren’t happy.’

‘Toon fans are not at all confident, though they are better at home. Win by a couple of goals and we jump above them. A league clean sheet would be lovely too.’

‘Not saying we can’t beat Newcastle with Buendia starting as we won up there with him scoring a worldie but I think the more we see Mbaye we’ll realise he is a step above in final third in decision making.

And we need to start winning prem games sooner or later.’

‘Newcastle have conceded the most shots in fast break situations – as the newspaper put it – but quite a fun stat given what we just witnessed from ManzJacBye midweek (yes I’m copyrighting that mash up).’