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The much-loved FA Cup returns this weekend for a thrilling fourth round. The action begins with two games on Friday, followed by eight on Saturday, five on Sunday, with the remainder played on Monday. We highlight an all Premier League match at Villa Park, where Aston Villa and Newcastle United go head-to-head from 17:45 GMT, live on television.
Saturday will be the third time Villa and the Magpies have met this term, following two games in the Premier League. Both matches have been competitive, with the rivals fighting out a draw at this arena in August. Villa snatched a crucial three points when leaving St James' Park with a win late last month. Armchair fans expect another entertaining contest.
Will Aston Villa use home advantage to secure a place in the next round? Will Newcastle United win on the road to keep their dreams of lifting the FA Cup alive? The leading online bookmakers featured at Flashscore offer over 100 pre-match betting markets, allowing you to target a profit. Experienced football betting writer Frank Monkhouse offers three picks.
Aston Villa v Newcastle tips
Aston Villa or draw @ 4/11 (bet365)
Under 3.5 goals @ 4/9 (bet365)
Watkins to score @ 7/5 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Double chance - Aston Villa or draw
Our first bet in Birmingham on Saturday evening is Aston Villa or draw in the double chance market. When following this prediction, you're covering two of the three possible outcomes in the match-winner market. A home win pays the same as a draw. You're gambling on Aston Villa to avoid defeat on their patch before a bumper audience. The stats offer encouragement.
A bet on Aston Villa or draw would've boosted your balance in the two games involving Villa and Newcastle this season. Going back further, we see the same wager landed in each of the last three, a run stretching to April 2025. In that period, Unai Emery's men won 4-1 at this venue, before a 0-0 draw here in the summer. Villa won 2-0 at St James' Park.
As both teams compete in the Premier League, we can trust the recent stats and form. Aston Villa started the week third in the EPL. This month, they lost 1-0 here to Brentford, drew 1-1 at Bournemouth and banked a 1-0 home win over Brighton in midweek. In the same period, Newcastle lost 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium and 3-2 at home to Brentford. The Magpies did beat Tottenham 2-1 in London on Tuesday, ending Thomas Frank's reign.
Tip: Aston Villa or draw @ 4/11 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need Aston Villa to avoid defeat in this tantalising FA Cup match.
Total goals - under 3.5
We move into the totals for our second wager worth a look. Visit the bet365 app or site and predict how many goals we'll see in this match. The traders set the line at 3.5 goals, and you must predict if the final tally will be over or under that number. Will Villa v Newcastle end with more or fewer than four goals scored by both teams combined during the 90 minutes?
We're taking a chance on fewer than four goals at odds that are good enough to back as a single, but would work best in your weekend FA Cup accumulators. Sticking with the updated H2H stats available at Flashscore, under 3.5 goals landed in each of the last two meetings, and in three of the previous four. We've seen three, five, zero, and two goals scored.
The clubs have met seven times in the FA Cup. Interestingly, under 3.5 goals landed four times, including a 1-0 win for the locals in the most recent cup clash. With neither team boasting impressive recent form, a tense match awaits. Avoid trying to predict the winner and trust the stats; take the game to end with fewer than four goals.
Tip: Under 3.5 goals @ 4/9 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Aston Villa v Newcastle must end with fewer than four goals scored by both teams combined.
Anytime scorer - Watkins
Looking for a bet at higher odds? We've got you covered with our third and final prediction from Villa Park. Wager on Ollie Watkins in the anytime scorer market, and your bet is live for the entire time the Aston Villa and England striker is on the pitch. You can aim higher and back him to score first, but we're happy with the safety net of the anytime scorer option.
Followers will be delighted to learn that Watkins scored his team's second goal in a 2-0 away win over Newcastle United in January. The talented forward found the net with 88 minutes on the clock, cementing victory after Emiliano Buendia broke the deadlock inside the first 20 minutes of play. That goal means Ollie scored in two of the last three renewals of this fixture.
Watkins has enjoyed a successful season so far, playing an important role in firing his employers into contention for a top-four finish and spot in next term's Champions League. The 30-year-old from Torquay will also be key to any success Villa have in this year's FA Cup. He's returning from a small injury and should be raring to go. Back Ollie to score, then sit back and enjoy what's sure to be a thrilling match.
Tip: Watkins to score @ 7/5 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need Ollie Watkins to find the net at Villa Park this weekend.
Aston Villa v Newcastle
Aston Villa win @ 23/20 (bet365)
Discover the Best Betting Bonuses
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.