Eddie Howe Aston Villa press conference – The key messages ahead of Thursday | OneFootball

The Eddie Howe Aston Villa Press Conference has taken place.

The Newcastle United Head Coach speaking to the media ahead of Thursday afternoon’s game.

United back at St James’ Park.

Aston Villa the opposition, as Newcastle look to make it four wins in a row and move above Villa.

Eddie Howe Aston Villa press conference on Monday:

Eddie Howe on the upcoming games against Villa, Man U and Spurs:

“(We’ve got) every reason for us to be excited about those games.

“I have been really pleased with how we have played in recent games, and I think we need to take that into the next week.

“We have some brilliant games on paper for everyone to attack and enjoy.”

Eddie Howe on playing at home on Boxing Day:

“When you’re playing at home over the festive period, these games are brilliant things to be a part of so, yeah, we are looking forward to the game.

“When you perform and play well, you want the games to come to you.”

Eddie Howe on the challenge posed by Unai Emery’s Aston Villa:

“We had two good games against Aston Villa last season.

“This will be a really good challenge for us.

“I think they have good depth in their squad, they have some really good players.

“Their style is very difficult to play against – (they are) very well coached, very well drilled.”

Eddie Howe on the fitness of Joe Willock and Nick Pope:

“Joe is fine.

“To keep Joe fit for a sustained spell is now important for him to get back to his very best level – it will take him a period of games.

“Nick is doing OK.

“He has had a couple of injections in his knee.

“Quite when he will be fit, it is still difficult to give a definitive date.”

Eddie Howe on Jacob Murphy’s recent influence on his side:

“Jacob is very selfless – he always plays for the team, he really takes a buzz out of creating a goal.

“He has always been that way.

“Those qualities, every team needs.”

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon

Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Week commencing Monday 6 January – Arsenal v Newcastle TBC

Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Week commencing Monday 3 February – Newcastle v Arsenal TBC

Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)