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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery expects his in-form side to face a “very difficult” challenge away to Newcastle on Boxing Day.
Villa beat Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday for a fourth win from five games in all competitions.
But sixth-placed Villa will kick-off at St James’ Park against a Newcastle team on a fine run of their own.
The Magpies go into Thursday’s game following successive 4-0 league wins over Leicester and Ipswich, with Newcastle having also done the double over Villa last season.
“Very difficult, because I think now they are in good form, and of course they played two years ago in the Champions League,” said Emery of Newcastle.
“Their objective is clearly to be in Europe,” added the Spaniard as he lauded Newcastle manager Eddie Howe.
“He (Howe) was doing a fantastic job with Bournemouth. Always, his teams are more or less dynamic teams, intensity, they like to play with the ball possession and being aggressive in attack, attacking with a lot of players.
“They (Newcastle) beat us last year two times, and of course I respect them a lot. It is a very strong stadium for them, difficult for the opponent.”
Villa have lost their last four away games in the Premier League and Thursday’s match promises to be another tough test.
“When I arrived here, my thoughts were that it is the most difficult league,” said Emery.
“A lot of teams have capacity, with good players, good coaches and good history…The league is a very interesting league, very motivating for us, each match how we can get points and be better. Now we are sixth, we are trying to focus on each match, be consistent.
“We are feeling better at home, but away, it is completely different.”
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