Aston Villa told to get sharp ahead of Toon clash
Villa have been warned they must get more clinical if they want to start climbing the Championship table.
Roberto Di Matteo's men have created more chances than any other team in the second tier but a haul of just eight goals from the first eight matches has left them 18th in the table and in need of a positive result when Newcastle visit Villa Park on Saturday.
And while much of the focus has fallen on Villa's habit of conceding late goals, former Holte End favourite Garry Thompson believes their inability to take chances is also costing them dear.
"They have been very strong in the first half of games but have got to get more clinical," he said. "You can't be on top of teams and then let them off the hook or you will get punished, we have seen that already."
Villa boosted their forward line with the big money signings of Jonathan Kodjia and Ross McCormack over the summer but the latter, who joined in a £12million switch from Fulham, is among several players being assessed ahead of Saturday's game. The 30-year-old missed last weekend's 0-0 draw at Ipswich with a knee injury.
Top scorer Rudy Gestede, also absent at Portman Road, is meanwhile battling to recover from a hamstring injury. Villa lost defender Nathan Baker during the match to a head injury but should welcome back midfielder Aaron Tshibola (hamstring) after his return to fitness.
