A few Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media after Michael Owen predicted a 1-1 all draw for our trip to Aston Villa on Monday night.
The former Toon striker feels the Premier League meeting at Villa Park will be an extremely close affair, with Steve Bruce doing a terrific job in the dugout at St. James’ Park after overseeing a top-flight run of ten points from a possible 15.
Villa, meanwhile, will be heading into our encounter on the back of three successive top-flight defeats, having last won a league game in October when Dean Smith’s side beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1.
Owen concedes that the Villans have faced a challenging run since beating the Seagulls last month, with the Birmingham-based side losing to Manchester City, Liverpool and Europa League Round of 32 hopefuls Wolverhampton Wanderers.
They have also been without their captain Jack Grealish since the 3-0 away defeat to Man City, and Owen sees the Villa product as his side’s talisman.
What will the result be at Villa?
Toon win
Draw
Villa win
Writing in his BetVictor blog, Owen 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.”
Grealish is expected to be fit to face us on Monday as he closes in on a return from his calf injury, which would be a huge boost for Smith as the Villa skipper had scored twice and assisted three goals in his ten Premier League starts this term.
Here are some of the reactions offered as Newcastle fans noted Owen’s prediction…
Suprised he didn’t refuse to do a prediction
— WillingtonQuaySaints (@wqsaints) November 19, 2019
He’s an angry Elf
— Chris (@BoringGeordie) November 19, 2019
Who cares what the poisoned dwarf thinks
— Paul Davison (@dubtoon) November 20, 2019
Who?
— Mr Potato Head™ (@aborisdrone) November 19, 2019
— Stu Blemings (@stublem1892) November 19, 2019
Joelinton almiron and ASM 3-0
— Graeme Pilkington (@graemepilkingto) November 19, 2019