Steve Bruce was on the end of some boos the last time he went to Villa Park but the atmosphere will be non-existent on Saturday night in the second city.
Unlike previous visits there will be no banners to taunt the Magpies at the Holte End with this grudge match set to play out behind closed doors, a factor I believe will be a bit of a leveller.
The fact that Villa have had their own problems with Covid recently will give Newcastle a slight advantage in terms of fitness but Bruce's team must show more focus than they did at Sheff United and Arsenal in the second half if they are to claw anything from this fixture.
Lee Ryder's prediction
United have been relegated at Villa Park twice in 2009 and 2016 and if they aren't careful the tone could be set for another drop into the Championship on this particular visit.
For all the talk of changing managers though Newcastle - for now - seem content to work through their problems as long as they are outside the bottom three.
Bruce made eight changes against Arsenal and while it did not change the outcome it has sparked competition for places with some first-team players eager to prove him wrong.
I think they have enough about them to stop the rot here but think that will come in the shape of a draw rather than a much-needed away victory.
Referee
Simon Hooper (Wiltshire)
Overlooked a big call for a penalty at Elland Road in his last outing involving Newcastle, who then went on to lose 5-2.
Betting
The draw is 7/2 with Paddy Power
