Roberto Di Matteo desperate to kick-start season

While a win tomorrow would deliver the same number of points as in any other league fixture for Villa or Newcastle, the psychological boost from emerging victorious from an early-season battle between the Championship's supposed title favourites could be considerable.

It is certainly not unreasonable to suggest that, for the hosts, and particularly their manager Roberto Di Matteo, out-doing Rafa Benitez in the first-ever meeting of Champions League-winning managers outside the top flight might provide the necessary change in mood and momentum required for a campaign which is so far yet to sparkle.

There can be no disguising that, after just one win in their opening eight games, Villa are already playing catch-up with their fellow Championship big-spenders. Not that Di Matteo is trying to ignore the fact.

"They have started the season a little bit better than us, they're a bit more settled than us in terms of the team but it's probably an even game," he said. "We have home advantage but they are a strong side and it makes for a good game.

"It is a big game for us and Newcastle as well. It makes for a good game. It's a big game for both sides." He added: "This could kick-start our season. By winning we could get back into the mix."

You don't have to search far to find the source of Villa's problems. Equalisers conceded inside the final four minutes of the last three home games means their points tally already feels significantly smaller than it should be and has seen some sections already start to question Di Matteo's ability of masterminding a swift return to the Premier League.

Talk of the manager being under pressure this early in the season – and only two weeks after the club's new-look squad trained to together for the first time – appears little short of ludicrous.

Nevertheless, the Italian knows results are needed sooner rather than later and will hope last week's unspectacular though steadying 0-0 draw at Ipswich, when his team survived a late onslaught, is indication of a renewed resolve for the weeks ahead.

"We changed a couple of things last weekend, brought in a few different players," he said. "I need to look at different solutions for the team.

"We have lost points in the home games when we were in the driving seat. Those are the points we are missing.

"You are looking to improve and go a step further to try and win home games and sometimes nick a win away from home as well.

"Time will help. I can say it is much better than when I first started here, the group environment and the spirit within the group. There is a much better the spirit in the group."

The message from the manager – and players too – is that Villa are on the right track. Still, a win tomorrow would provide a timely jolt.

"It's a long season, we are only eight games in," continued Di Matteo. "We are disappointed with the points tally we have but if you get a run of games you pick up points or wins and it changes the table quickly.

"We need to understand it is important we perform well and try to win the games. But certainly I would have liked us to have more points than we do because we have performed well."