Newcastle United have not had everything go their way so far this season.

They are currently tenth in the Premier League and a win at Tottenham Hotspur in midweek put an end to a run of three consecutive league defeats.

In recent weeks, they also bowed out of the EFL Cup at the semi-final stage as they lost to Manchester City over the two legs. This meant that they would not be competing to defend the trophy that they lifted last year.

Attention now turns to the FA Cup and, after beating Bournemouth on penalties in the third round, they face a tough trip to Birmingham to face Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.

Villa’s form has faltered recently too as they have just two wins in their last five league matches, one of those also came in midweek at home to Brighton and Hove Albion.

The sides have already met twice this season in the league, with a 0-0 draw at Villa Park in August and then a 2-0 win for Villa in the North East at the end of January.

It will be a game where both sides will be keen to progress and will be hoping for a good cup run.

For Newcastle, there will still be the ambition that they can qualify for European football as a result of their league position but the cup also provides an alternative route.

There is also now an expectation that a club like Newcastle can compete for major honours.

The EFL Cup win last season was a key moment and there will be a desire to lift another trophy.

In the Premier League, they are facing a battle to finish as high up the table as possible. Consistency has been a problem and, over the course of a 38 game season, that may be what is holding them back.

However, in the cup competitions there are less games and anything can happen on any given day.

Villa was certainly not the easiest of draws but it is a winnable tie. Arguably, it is a huge game for Eddie Howe’s side and a chance to have success this season.

Momentum is key:

The win at Spurs could mean that they come into this game with confidence and a new sense of belief.

It could be argued that in some of their matches across the last few weeks, they have not played badly but have been unlucky in key moments.

Last week, it was a promising performance at home to Brentford yet ended in a 3-2 defeat.

The away form has been the biggest concern this season and, despite the struggles of Spurs, a win away in London could provide a boost ahead of the trip to the Midlands.

Players missing?

Team selection is often analysed when it comes to cup games and Newcastle do now have the extra games with a UEFA Champions League playoff match to come next week.

However, they could be missing some players for the trip to Villa. Eddie Howe is set to be without captain Bruno Guimaraes, Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento, Emil Krafth, Lewis Miley and Joelinton.

It could be interesting to see who starts up front at Villa Park as against Spurs, Howe went with an interchangeable three of Anthony Elanga, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes.

Strikers Nick Woltemade and Yoanne Wissa have struggled for goals of late but one of them could be given the nod to lead the line this time.

Villa will pose a threat and are a top side but Howe will be keen for his Newcastle squad to show their own qualities and give themselves a chance of silverware again.

There will still be a long way to go in the FA Cup but if they can claim the win, in what might be expected to be a close game, it could also prove beneficial for their Premier League campaign.