Aston Villa v Newcastle United: AI predicts the Premier League result - and scorers

Discover how AI analysis sees Newcastle United’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa at Villa Park playing out.

Like it or loathe it, we live a world where AI - or artificial intelligence - is creeping into every corner of society. Long gone are the days of predictive text or autocorrect being your only daily dalliance with an industry that was formerly resigned to the big screen or fiction. Now, it’s in everything, and can do virtually everything, too - including, it seems, predict Premier League football results.

So, we asked X’s own AI, Grok, to get its crystal ball out and predict what would happen as Newcastle United take on fellow Champions League-chasing Aston Villa in the Premier League at Villa Park looking to make it a remarkable SIX top flight wins in a row. And here’s what it said.

Aston Villa v Newcastle United: team form and context

We all know the Champions League - and places in next season’s version of it- are at stake in the final six games of the Premier League season. And when it comes to the race for the top five, they don’t get much bigger than NUFC at Villa. When discussing form, here’s what Grok had to say about Saturday’s hosts: “Villa have won their last four Premier League matches, conceding just one goal, showcasing defensive solidity and clinical finishing. They are aiming for a fifth consecutive win, a feat not achieved since April 2023. Unbeaten in 18 competitive home games (12 wins, 6 draws), though they’ve kept only two clean sheets in their last 15 home league games.

“A 3-0 win over Southampton highlighted their attacking depth, with substitutes Ollie Watkins, John McGinn, and Donyell Malen scoring. However, a 5-4 aggregate loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals may have left them emotionally and physically drained.

“Marcus Rashford has been pivotal, with improved per-90-minute stats (3.8 shots, 2.8 chances created) compared to his Manchester United days. Ollie Watkins, nearing his 50th Premier League goal, is a constant threat, and Morgan Rogers adds flair.”

When turning its attentions to the Magpies, it says: “Newcastle are in scintillating form, winning their last six matches across all competitions, including a 5-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace and an EFL Cup final triumph over Liverpool. They’ve scored 17 goals in this run, keeping three clean sheets.

“Newcastle have won eight away games this season, with only Liverpool (35 points) and Arsenal (28 points) earning more away points than their 27. Their 53% away win percentage is among their best historically.

“The 5-0 win over Crystal Palace showcased their attacking prowess, with Alexander Isak, Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, and Fabian Schar on the scoresheet. Isak is a standout, with 20 Premier League goals this season (third behind Salah and Haaland) and three goals in his last three games against Villa. Anthony Gordon, Joelinton, and Harvey Barnes add dynamism. Newcastle are without Sven Botman, Lewis Hall, and Jamaal Lascelles, with Botman recently returning to training but unlikely to feature. Eddie Howe is absent due to pneumonia, with Jason Tindall managing the team.”

Aston Villa v Newcastle United: head-to-head

Grok says: “Newcastle have dominated recent encounters, winning their last three Premier League games against Villa, each with at least three goals (aggregate 10-1). Villa have lost five of their last six league games against Newcastle, with their sole win in this period being a 3-0 victory in April 2023. At Villa Park, Newcastle have won only once in their last six visits, losing four, which gives Villa some historical home advantage. Across 54 meetings since 1995, Newcastle lead with 24 wins to Villa’s 12, with 18 draws. Recent matches have been high-scoring, with six of the last six exceeding 2.5 goals and both teams scoring in the last four.”

Aston Villa v Newcastle United: tactics

On the hosts, it says: “Villa’s attacking depth is a major asset, with 17 goals from substitutes this season, the most in the Premier League. Their unbeaten home streak and ability to score consistently (netting in their last 12 matches across all competitions) make them formidable.

“Defensive fragility is a concern, having conceded five goals in their last three matches and managing just six clean sheets in their last 37 home games. The emotional toll of their Champions League exit could affect morale.”

It adds: “Unai Emery’s high-pressing, structured build-up play aims to exploit spaces behind defenses. Players like Rashford and Watkins stretch backlines, while Rogers and Youri Tielemans create from midfield.”

On Tindall’s Magpies, it says: “Newcastle’s counter-attacking style, led by Isak’s clinical finishing and Gordon, Barnes or Murphy’s pace, is lethal. Their away form and ability to score prolifically (1.96 goals per match on average) make them dangerous.

“Defensive injuries (Botman, Hall, Lascelles) weaken their backline, and they’ve kept only two clean sheets in their last five games. Their inconsistent away form against top sides (e.g., a 4-0 loss to Manchester City) is a concern.

“Under Tindall’s interim guidance, Newcastle maintain Eddie Howe’s aggressive, high-pressing approach, with Isak as the focal point and Murphy’s assists (eight in his last 20 starts) feeding the attack.”

Aston Villa v Newcastle United: Opta prediction

The Opta supercomputer gives Aston Villa a slight edge with a 41.4% win probability, Newcastle a 33.8% chance, and a 24.8% likelihood of a draw. This reflects Villa’s home advantage and recent form, despite Newcastle’s head-to-head dominance.

Aston Villa v Newcastle United: AI prediction

It says: “This match is poised to be a thrilling, high-scoring affair given both teams’ attacking form and defensive vulnerabilities. Villa’s unbeaten home record and depth in attack give them a slight edge, but Newcastle’s counter-attacking threat and recent dominance over Villa cannot be ignored. The emotional and physical fatigue from Villa’s midweek Champions League exit may level the playing field, while Newcastle’s momentum from their six-match winning streak adds confidence. Considering the historical trend of high-scoring games (six of six recent head-to-heads over 2.5 goals) and both teams’ scoring consistency, a draw seems a plausible outcome, aligning with some expert predictions.”