Michael Owen has predicted that Newcastle United will draw with Aston Villa on Monday night, and has also hailed the “terrific” job done by manager Steve Bruce.
The Toon Army have won their last two Premier League matches, and now sit 13th in the table, just two points off fifth.
But Owen foresees a tight clash against the Villans.
Speaking to Bet Victor, he said: “Aston Villa have lost their last three league games – albeit against Manchester City, Liverpool and Wolves – and those defeats have coincided with the injury to skipper Jack Grealish who hobbled off at the Etihad with a knock on the calf and has been out injured since.
“Grealish really is the Villa talisman even with John McGinn making such an impressive start to life in the Premier League. Newcastle have picked up 10 points from their last five league games, won their last couple and Steve Bruce has done a terrific job at his home club.
“This is another game too close to call and it is a point apiece for me.”
OPINION
How fickle football is. This time a month ago, you would have gotten decent odds on Newcastle going down, and on Steve Bruce being one of the first Premier League managers to be given the shove this season. Now, however, after just two wins, the Toon Army are looking up, literally, and there is a genuine belief that they can continue to climb the table. With Villa, Sheffield United, Southampton, Burnley, and Crystal Palace to play between now and Boxing Day, the hope will be that Steve Bruce can march into the new year with a pocketful of points, and that his side can breathe a little easier than they have done at certain other times in his tenure. That being said, the Toon Army love nothing more than shooting themselves in the foot, and until those points are actually on the board, supporters will not dare get their hopes up too high.
