United moved into the division's top four with an impressive 2-1 away win at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday whilst extending their unbeaten run to seven matches in the English top-flight and take on a Villa side who have failed to win at St. James' Park since April 2005.

With just three Premier League fixtures remaining for Howe's side before the winter break, due to the 2022 World Cup taking place in Qatar, the Newcastle boss is focussed on maintaining the current purple patch in results before the season draws to a halt in just over a fortnight's time.

Here's what Howe had to say during his pre-match media briefing at the club's Benton-based training ground on Friday morning:

On injury updates, including the availability of Allan Saint-Maximin and Elliot Anderson:

"It's been a good week for us. The players were feeling the effects of three games in a week but we've trained well and we are fully prepared.

"There's a few bumps and bruises and a few tired bodies but, hopefully, there's nothing too serious and we'll make decisions on players today and try to pick the best team.

"Elliot's okay. He had a minor niggle (before Spurs) but nothing serious and he's back in the squad this week.

"There's a chance (with Allan Saint-Maximin). We're going to see how training goes today but he's made really good progress and I'm very pleased with how he's attacked his rehab and the work he's put in. There's an opportunity, hopefully, to get Maxi fit and available.

"Alex (Isak) has been having a couple of injections into his thigh. I believe that's gone well and the medical team are happy with where he currently stands but it is a longer term injury, around five to six weeks, so he won't be back before the World Cup break but we're hopeful that as we begin our second pre-season, he's there ready to train.

On Callum Wilson, who netted the opener against Tottenham and has started Newcastle's last five games after recovering from a hamstring injury:

"He performed to a very high level, physically, for the team. Everyone knows the way we want to play and with that method of play comes a big responsibility on the number nine to set us off in terms of our off the ball plan.

"I thought he executed that very well, as he always has done for me. With the ball, he has certain demands that are placed upon him as well and his all-round game was very good. His goal was excellent and probably underestimated in how good that finish was.

"I think he's always got huge motivation, whenever he plays and whether it's for England or Newcastle. Callum's that player that's very driven. If you look at his history and background, he's always had that since I first met him and knew where he wanted to go in his career.

"He had high expectations of himself and don't think that has changed which is his biggest plus."

On Aston Villa, who confirmed the appointment of Unai Emery as the club's head coach on Monday and recorded an emphatic 4-0 win against Brentford last weekend:

"Last week, they did very well. I watched the game in depth and I thought they started with such a high intensity. You could sense, although I don't watch the games with the volume on, the crowd and the vibe of the stadium was very good.

"They scored a couple of goals very quickly and you saw a team full of energy and enthusiasm. You could see the quality of their players as well and I think Aston Villa do have a very good squad.

"We expect a very difficult game and know we're going to have to be at our best, as we are in every Premier League game, to win. They're going through this period where they're waiting for their new manager to come in and we expect a reaction because of that."

On the upcoming World Cup break and finishing the current period as strongly as possible before resuming their 2022/23 Premier League campaign on Boxing Day:

"The World Cup will have an interesting dynamic on the season this year. We know we have three Premier League games and a very important cup game to go before that break.

"We're determined to try and keep that momentum until that break and then dust ourselves down, regroup and go again.

"There's no guarantee because you can lose to anyone in the Premier League. If you drop below where you need to be and there's certain expectations of ourselves that we know we have to hit, so the fundamentals of our performance have to be there which they have been in the last group of games.

"I've been really impressed with how we've attacked every challenge that we've faced and have not taken a step back at all. It's really important, in this moment, that we don't do that."

On the importance of winning:

"It's everything to us. We give everything and work the hours that we do, as a coaching team and players, to win and that is our objective every week whoever we play against, home or away.

"When you're able to achieve that, there's a feeling of satisfaction, albeit for me a very brief one, before you focus on the next challenge but enjoying the moment we're in.

"We want to keep it going for as long as we can. There's no complacency and there's been no let up in terms of our work and the players' work this week because we know how difficult the league is."