Newcastle vs. Aston Villa - Eddie Howe: Pre-Match Press Conference

Newcastle faces Aston Villa as part of MD14 on Saturday but sadly there won’t be an encounter with new Villa coach Unai Emery while he deals with some work permit issues. Emery is expected to take on his new position next Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Eddie Howe, who will definitely be standing on one of the benches at St James’ Park tomorrow, spoke to the media on Friday providing some fresh takes on Newcastle’s state of affairs mere hours days before the game against Aston Villa.

About the packed schedule before the World Cup break takes place:

“It’s been a good week for us. The players, naturally, after three games in a week were feeling the effects of that early in the week but we’ve trained well so we’re all fully prepared.”

About soon-to-be Three Lions’ forward for the World Cup, Callum Wilson:

“[Wilson] performed to a very high level physically.”

“Everyone knows how we want to play and with that comes a big responsibility on the number nine to set us off in our off the ball plan.”

“I thought he executed that very well as he always has done for me.”

“With the ball he has certain demands placed upon him as well and his all-round game is very good.”

“His goal was an excellent one and it’s probably underestimated how good that finish was. I was very pleased with him.”

On Allan Saint-Maximin’s status ahead of the affair with the Villans after missing more than a few games of late:

“There’s a chance [ASM plays].”

“We’ll see how training goes today. He’s made really good progress and I’m very pleased with how he’s attacked his rehab & the work he’s put in.”

“There’s an opportunity to hopefully get him fit and available.”

On the young Geordie Maradona, Elliot Anderson:

“He’s OK. He had a minor niggle [before Spurs] and it was nothing serious, so he’s back in the squad for this week.”

On Jonjo Shelvey, after he finally made his comeback to the pitch against the Spurs last weekend:

“[Shelvey’s] got real qualities we need. He has experience, he understands his position and he’s got that range of passing that the team clearly needs.”

“He’s going to have a huge role to play [before the World Cup break].”

On new-member of the Big Six Newcastle after defeating former-member of the Big Six Tottenham:

“[The current form] is everything to us. We give everything as a coaching team and as players to win.”

“[To win] is our objective every week so when you’re able to achieve that there’s a feeling of satisfaction, albeit for me a brief one before we focus on the next one.”

A little break against two minnows in Aston Villa tomorrow and Southampton next Sunday before taking on Chelsea in the last PL game before the break.

Time to pounce and take advantage of these opportunities to face Chelsea in a comfortable position and with European football qualification nearly secured by the time we flip the calendar page in a couple of months.

• Date: Saturday, October 29th
• Kick-off: 15:00 BST / 10:00 EST / 8:00 PST
• Location: St James’ Park (England)
• Broadcasts: Talksport 2 Radio UK (UK), Peacock (USA), fuboTV (Canada)

For all your international watching needs, check LiveSoccerTV.com.