Paul Merson heaps praise on Jacob Murphy as he predicts score between Aston Villa and Newcastle United

Newcastle United take on Aston Villa on Saturday evening in the 5:30pm kick-off live on Sky Sports from Villa Park.

Jason Tindall has continued the good work started by Eddie Howe before he fell ill, racking up two high-scoring wins on the trot, but he perhaps faces his biggest test so far on Saturday.

Aston Villa beat Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday night and were unlucky to drop out of the competition on aggregate, but that win was one of nine in their last 10 games in all competitions.

Both teams are in absolute top form and both are gunning for a place in next season's Champions League. It's finely poised and we're expecting a hell of a game.

Paul Merson expects Newcastle and Aston Villa to share the spoils on Saturday

Paul Merson is clearly expecting goals as he's predicted there'll be four in the game on Saturday, as he's made his prediction for Sportskeeda.

"Newcastle are coming along quite well. They are showing signs of a team playing with confidence. But this is easily one of their biggest games of the season. Even though Newcastle are flying in third-place, a defeat to seventh-placed Aston Villa will cut the gap between these teams to just two points! That's how tight the race to finish in the top five really is.

"If Newcastle can win this game and beat Ipswich in their next one, I think they will be guaranteed Champions League football next season. Winning a trophy was incredible in itself, but imagine if they can top it off with this achievement? The stuff of dreams if you're a Newcastle fan.

"A draw would do Aston Villa no good here. After this game, they face Manchester City away from home. If they manage to get only one or two points from these two games, I think they are in serious danger of missing out on a top five finish!

"Before I get to my prediction, I want to talk about Jacob Murphy at Newcastle and Morgan Rogers at Aston Villa. Murphy is one of the most underrated players in the league. He always works his socks off, scores goals, makes them and I don't think he gets the credit he deserves. And about Morgan Rogers, he plays in a position where he is constantly under pressure to make things happen. I'm a big fan of his and he has done an incredible job in making a name for himself at Villa.

"Both teams are playing well at the moment. We all know what Villa did in the Champions League this season and they must look to qualify again. This is a mouth-watering clash and I expect it to be entertaining with goals at both ends.

"Prediction: Aston Villa 2-2 Newcastle United"

We feel we can beat Aston Villa but we would still take the draw

While it would end the current winning streak, a draw against Aston Villa wouldn't be the end of the world, and should be enough to keep us in third place in the Premier League even if Nottingham Forest win, unless they manage to beat Tottenham 9-0 on Monday night.

We'd take a 2-2 draw against Villa given their current form, but there's absolutely nothing to say that we can't turn Villa over too; we fear nobody right now.

With Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes in the mood they're in right now, who could write us off?