Newcastle travel to Aston Villa this weekend and if results go their way they can secure Premier league football next season by the time Newcastle play Tottenham in the final game of the season.
The Magpies have turned a corner in recent weeks and are now unbeaten in the last four games with eight points from a possible 12, which leaves Newcastle out of the relegation zone although Sunderland and Norwich both have games in hand.
Newcastle turned a corner against Swansea at St James’ Park in April when they beat the Welsh side 3-0, goals from Lascelles, Sissoko and Townsend giving Newcastle three vital points and a confidence boost.
Days later Newcastle was at St James’ Park again but this time faced Manchester City, many fans before the game would not have expected too much from the game but again Newcastle had other ideas and managed to get a point from the Manchester City side who had the Champions league on their mind.
Another draw at Rafa’s old side Liverpool after a miserable first half again lifted spirits as they went into the Crystal Palace match, and a moment of magic from Andros Townsend saw Newcastle beat former boss Alan Pardew and his Palace side and more importantly lifted Newcastle out of the relegation zone.
We have attempted to predict how Rafa might line-up at Villa, take a look and see if you agree.
