Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle United stand second in the Championship on 88 points, have already secured promotion, and still have an outside chance of winning the league.
Down in 12th, Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa saw their play-off chances disappear a while ago, have 61 points, and will be cautious to be too optimistic about next season.
Perhaps it’s not a surprise, Villa were such a mess last season that coming back at the first attempt was always going to be difficult. Newcastle United had a brighter outlook with Benitez staying at the club, and have taken that forward, despite some bumps in the road.
The biggest difference between the two teams is goals scored, with Benitez’s men way ahead of Aston Villa. Newcastle United’s top Championship goalscorer Dwight Gayle has 22 goals, but he’s been ably backed up by others including Matt Ritchie.
Aston Villa have had Jonathan Kodjia leading the way but have required more, and the purchase of Scott Hogan hasn’t really provided that.
Benitez has been speaking to Spanish newspaper Marca and used Aston Villa’s situation to show just how well Newcastle United have done.
Put to him that Newcastle had the best squad, with the suggestion promotion was almost a foregone conclusion, Benitez said: “There are teams that have spent more than us and, in addition, we have had to change to the middle of the team.
“Going down is always painful and it is a problem for players to adapt to such a difficult category. We have spent money, but there was a €30m surplus. Aston Villa, an historic club, hasn’t even got in the playoffs. From there, let each one do the analysis they want.”
