Top five: Villa must respond against flying Newcastle after PSG heartbreak | OneFootball

There is little time for reflection after heartbreak in Europe.

Aston Villa’s painful Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain may still sting, but Unai Emery and his players cannot afford to dwell on it. Another crucial clash awaits, and this one could be just as decisive.

Newcastle United’s visit to Villa Park on Saturday evening marks the start of a vital stretch in the Premier League’s top-five battle.

Villa, sitting seventh, are level on points with Chelsea and just one behind Manchester City, who currently occupy the final Champions League qualifying place. There is everything to play for, and with just six games left, momentum is everything.

Villa’s defeat to PSG was cruel. The 3-2 win at home was not enough to overturn the 3-1 deficit from the first leg, despite a spirited second-half comeback that had Villa Park rocking. Emery was visibly frustrated at full time, but his message now is simple: move on.

“It’s done,” he said. “Take our experiences, try to improve, but think about the next matches. Tomorrow’s match is our objective.” His focus has shifted entirely to the league, where the stakes have arguably become even greater.

The Villans boast one of the strongest home records in the division. Their win over PSG was their fifth straight at Villa Park, and they are unbeaten in 18 home games in all competitions.

However, the defence has been leaky, with only four clean sheets during that stretch – something Newcastle will look to exploit.

The Magpies arrive in flying form. Their 5-0 demolition of Crystal Palace extended their winning run to six matches and lifted them to third in the table. Eddie Howe’s men have scored freely and defended well, and their place in next season’s Champions League looks increasingly secure.

Emery is under no illusions about the challenge. “They are now in their best moment,” he said. “They are winning matches, feeling confident, feeling strong. The level they have is similar to PSG’s team.” That is no exaggeration, given Newcastle’s recent dominance and their growing swagger.

For Villa, this is a chance to prove they are not a one-season wonder in Europe. The team and supporters have had a taste of the big stage, and they want more.

Saturday’s clash is about more than three points – it is about staking a claim to be back among Europe’s elite.