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23rd Aug 2014 | Premier League

Villains and Magpies Bereft of End Product

In the opening fixtures, Villa had one shot on target while the Toon Army had none at all. Expect a low-scoring encounter here.

It’s very hard to get a strong read on who will win this fixture so early in the season, but we can expect a tight encounter when there is such a lack of attacking potency all round.

Villa began 2014-15 with a fine victory at the Britannia Stadium but with the home win at just 13/8 (WilliamHill) we should beware the false dawn. Paul Lambert’s boys also begun last term with a shock triumph at the Emirates but that failed to provide a lasting platform for success.

After just 15 wins in their last 57 league matches at Villa Park, the hosts have a long-term habit of disappointing their fans and that’s been the case both home and away against Newcastle in recent years (W0 L4 D2).

That said, it’s equally hard to get excited about the away win at 85/40 (BetVictor) given that the Magpies have lost eight of their last nine league matches. Alan Pardew may have bought well this summer, but it’s too soon to say so with any conviction.

What we can see is that Villa and Newcastle sit last and second last in the ‘shots on target’ league table after the opening round of matches. Villa scored with their only well directed effort courtesy of Andreas Weimann while the Toon Army had none at all.

With Christian Benteke still injured and Loic Remy departed it’s hard to see where the end product is coming from on both sides. At best odds of 9/4 (Skybet), under 1.5 goals in the match looks like a wise bet. 

Odds correct at time of publishing: 08:29 23rd Aug, 2014 but subject to change

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