Gabby Agbonlahor makes exciting Newcastle United prediction after deleting ‘bit of banter’ tweet

Gabby Agbonlahor has tipped Newcastle United to mount a Premier League top four challenge - less than 24 hours after joking Aston Villa had “nothing to fear” against Eddie Howe’s side.

Before kick-off, the former striker tweeted: “Come on Villa, nothing to fear against Newcastle! Let’s go!” As it turned out, Agbonlahor’s boyhood club had everything to fear as United won 4-0 courtesy of a brace from Callum Wilson and goals from Joelinton and Miguel Almiron.

Agbonlahor deleted the tweet at full-time and said: “Trust me to have to work at 5:30pm after this.” The 36-year-old then appeared on talkSPORT and talked up Newcastle’s chances of finishing in the Champions League spots - if they recruit a “couple of signings in January”.

He said: “I actually tweeted earlier saying ‘Nothing to worry about’, a bit of banter, because I’m a Villa fan but I knew that this would be a tough game for Aston Villa. I mean, St James’ Park is a fortress. All the players look confident. Almiron is trying things that he wouldn’t have tried last season.

“Two goals isn’t enough, three goals isn’t enough, they look hungry to score more. They could have beat us six or seven-nil today and it is looking really bright for Newcastle. A couple of signings in January and they are definitely in for a top four battle.

“You do not want to go to St James’ Park, I said this two weeks ago and then I seen Villa have got them. I’m thinking, ‘this is the last game the Aston Villa team want to go and play’. The atmosphere in the ground, the players playing with confidence. Wilson looks sharp today. Joelinton can play anywhere he wants…”

Newcastle sit fourth in the Premier League table with 24 points from their opening 13 matches. Villa, meanwhile, are in 16th as Unai Emery prepares to take over at Villa Park early next week.