Not since the days of Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse’s lethal link-up back in 2011-12 have Newcastle made such a good start to the season.
Their fifth-place finish that season would be a remarkable achievement should they be able to replicate it, but the Toon Army have their eyes set on Champions League qualification after proving they can mix it with the best.
Collecting four points from trips to Old Trafford and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium shows they are well in the mix for the top four, especially considering their win last weekend against Spurs saw them leapfrog Chelsea in fourth.
Still being unbeaten at St. James’ Park after six matches is a big factor in their strong start too, as Liverpool remain the only side who have won here in the league this calendar year, winning 10 from 15 home games.
They have not spent mega money yet on the level of a club like Manchester City, but Eddie Howe has efficiently sorted out the basics like improving at the back.
So much so that they currently have the strongest defensive record in the division, being the only club to have a record of under one goal conceded per game.
Despite being winless on the road in their six away games this season and scoring just three times, there is a lot of excitement again at Aston Villa now after a whirlwind week.
After Steven Gerrard was sackedfollowing a dreadful display at Fulham, Danks came in as caretaker and led Villa to a brilliant 4-0 win over Brentford last Sunday.
Emery’s appointment topped off a fine week for the claret and blue side of Birmingham, but the Spaniard will not be on the touchline here due to work permit delays.
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He may well be an ideal appointment, because despite his perceived shortcomings at Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, he worked wonders at Valencia, Sevilla and Villarreal.
Valencia were Champions League regulars under his stewardship, Sevilla won an unprecedented three consecutive Europa League crowns, and he reached the Champions League semi-finals with Villarreal just last season after clinching the Europa League title a year earlier.
The Villa faithful will be more than happy if Emery can lead them away from trouble to a comfortable mid-table finish this season though, and with the World Cup break coming, he should have sufficient time to get most of his squad onside.
