Newcastle United head into Saturday’s clash with lowly Aston Villa in high spirits after magnificent back-to-back victories over Liverpool and Spurs.
Things looked decidedly bleak for Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren and his misfiring team as they sat in the relegation zone after a 5-1 trouncing at Crystal Palace. However, to their credit, the Magpies have bounced back from their Selhurst Park thumping in superb fashion over recent weeks to pull away from the bottom three.
Few could argue that the Tynesiders were undeserving of their unexpected six-point haul against high-flying Liverpool and Spurs and, after finally demonstrating what they’re truly capable of, Newcastle will be looking to continue their recent resurgence against rock bottom Aston Villa.
Remi Garde has endured a dreadful start to life with the Midlands’ club, and the French coach – who was widely linked with the Newcastle job last summer – will be desperate to pull the Magpies back into the thick of the relegation mire by claiming his first victory as Villa boss this weekend.
Ahead of Saturday’s game, we decided to take a look at the select group of players who have plied their trade for both Newcastle and Aston Villa.
