The Magpies are winless in nine across all competitions, and as pressure continues to mount on under-fire manager Steve Bruce, they find themselves just seven points clear of danger with a difficult run of fixtures on the horizon.
The first of those challenges comes in the form of the high-flying Villans.
Dean Smith's side have been one of the surprise packages of the Premier League season so far, and a win against the Toon Army could take them up to eighth in the table, with games in hand on many of the sides above them.
Historically, however, Newcastle have enjoyed good success against Villa. The Magpies have lost just one of their previous 14 meetings with this weekend’s opponents – although that blot on their record did come last season in a 2-0 defeat at Villa Park.
Still, if it is a big result that Bruce and his men are looking for, they could do a lot worse than looking to the Magpies’ 6-0 trouncing of the midlands club back in 2010.
Newcastle ran riot that day at St. James’ Park – and it was even a member of the current Toon squad who was the hero of the hour.
Andy Carroll struck a hat-trick for his boyhood club, with Kevin Nolan hitting a brace and Joey Barton chipping into make it a half dozen of goals.
We’ve taken a look back at the starting lineup from that rampant display to ask, “Where are they now?”.
Click and scroll through the pages below:
1. Steve Harper
Harper spent 20 years on the books at St. James' Park before leaving for Hull City in 2013. The stopper would go on to have a brief spell at Sunderland too before getting into coaching when he hung up his gloves. In 2019, Steve Bruce offered him a role working with the first team on Tyneside. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Photo: Jamie Sabau
2. Mike Williamson
Williamson spent six years in the north east, wracking up over 170 appearances before moving on to Wolves and Oxford United. The defender returned to the region in 2018, and is now manager of non-league outfit Gateshead. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Photo: Ross Kinnaird
3. Fabricio Coloccini
A cult hero in Newcastle to this day, the Argentine centre-back is still turning out for San Lorenzo in his home country at the age of 38. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Photo: Mark Runnacles
4. Jonas Gutierrez
Another well-loved Argentine among Newcastle fans, Gutierrez - like his good friend Coloccini - is still playing back in his homeland. The 37-year-old is on the books at Club Atletico Banfield. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Photo: Laurence Griffiths