Newcastle know that three points are a must on Saturday when they take on already-relegated Aston Villa.

The Magpies, who are currently a position above the drop zone in 17th, are only a point better off than rivals Sunderland and two ahead of Norwich having played a game more as they head to Villa Park.

Rafa Benitez's side have found some form in recent weeks and are undefeated in their last four matches while a 12th successive loss for Villa would set a new club record for the longest run of league defeats.

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Newcastle are on 33 points while Sunderland (32) host Chelsea. But Norwich (31) can put pressure on both if they beat Manchester United in Saturday's early kick-off.

Team news

Villa will be without Aly Cissokho when they bring the curtain down on a dire home campaign.

Cissokho was shown a straight red card in the defeat to Watford last weekend and the midfielder will serve a one-match suspension. Rudy Gestede sustained a knock at Vicarage Road and is a doubt.

Fellow forward Gabby Agbonlahor's club ban has been lifted but it remains to be seen whether he will be involved while Jordan Veretout is struggling with a pelvic problem and Kieran Richardson (calf) is still out.

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Vurnon Anita and Daryl Janmaat will battle it out for the Newcastle right-back spot at Villa.

Midfielder Anita, who has filled in in Janmaat's absence, is fit after shaking off a muscle injury sustained against Crystal Palace while Janmaat has recovered from a groin problem and will wear a protective cast over his broken hand.

However, skipper Fabricio Coloccini (calf) is still sidelined along with goalkeepers Tim Krul and Rob Elliot (both knee) and defender Massadio Haidara (knee).

Opta stats

Aston Villa have won none of their last nine Premier League games against Newcastle United (W0 D4 L5).

The Magpies have scored just 13 goals in their last 24 Premier League away games, but five of those have come in the last three away trips.

Aston Villa have lost their last 11 Premier League games - only one side in Premier League history has lost more in a row (Sunderland, 20 between January 2003 and September 2005).

Another defeat for Villa in this game would set a new club record for the longest run of league defeats, with Villa also recording 11 successive losses in 1963.

A draw in their last Premier League away game at Anfield ended a run of nine consecutive away defeats for Newcastle United and secured the Magpies their only away point in 2016 so far.

There have been just four goals scored in the last four Premier League meetings between these two teams.

Newcastle (W2 D2) have gone four games unbeaten in the Premier League for the first time since October-November 2014 (six unbeaten in that run under Alan Pardew).

The Villans have made a league-low 82 substitutions this season, eight fewer than any other side (Everton next on 90).

Andros Townsend has scored more Premier League goals for Newcastle in just 11 appearances for the club (4) than he managed for Tottenham in 50 games (3).

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Merson's predictions

I think there's more of a twist than people think in this. Newcastle are odds of 1/2 here. They've taken one point away from home in 2016, how can you justify being 1/2? I know Villa haven't been great, but you can't be backing a team at 1/2 away from home with a record like that.

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I'm going 1-1 here, because Newcastle will have to come out and have a go, and Villa will cause a few problems. Newcastle went down at Villa in 2009 and will be out for revenge but the Villa fans won't want to lie down either. I just think people see this as nailed on, but I don't.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 6/1)

Betting

Newcastle will look to continue their push for survival when they travel to relegated Aston Villa on Saturday and Sky Bet have priced up the Magpies at 8/13 to pick up the vital win, while Villa are available at 9/2 to claim their first victory in 11 league games and the draw is 29/10. After scoring the crucial winning goal against Crystal Palace, Jamie Redknapp is tipping Andros Townsend to score first, which Sky Bet have Price Boosted from 5/1 to 7/1. See the rest of the odds as well as tips from our Sky Sports pundits here.