Aston Villa mamaged Unai Emery(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery insists his side are the 'team to beat' as he sent a direct message to Newcastle United ahead of Sunday's Premier League showdown.

The Birmingham outfit recovered from a slow start to rocket up the table, and head into the weekend in third place, behind Manchester City on goal difference.

They would have been second but for a shock 1-0 home defeat to Everton last weekend, but made sure they progressed the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday night with a 1-0 victory over Fenerbahce in Istanbul.

Villa will have several injury issues ahead of the game with Newcastle, with midfielders Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn ruled out, but Emery remains in confident mood.

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“Football is each match, each competition, each performance, collectively and individually," he said. "After we lost on Sunday against Everton, it was something we needed yesterday to come back quickly, playing competitively like we are doing and feeling confidence again.