Nick Pope did not take long to get over his red card horror against Liverpool - as his sparkling form since his return has shown for Newcastle United.
Pope was sent off in the 2-0 defeat with his ban costing him the chance to appear in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley. But since then he has helped the team to five wins out of six in the Premier League and breathed new life into the club's Champions League bid and influential star Dan Burn believes it takes a lot to knock the England international.
The former Burnley man not only stopped Ivan Toney's penalty last week but also rushed out of his goal to deny Brentford's frontline twice in the closing stages. Pope's nerves of steel were a big factor of Newcastle claiming a massive win.
READ MORE: Everything Eddie Howe said at his press conference
Pope will head to Villa in tip top form after saving a penalty in the 2-1 win over Brentford last weekend and will be relishing a crack at Unai Emery's side. Speaking ahead of the game, Burn told Chronicle Live: "He’s just a top keeper Popey. I don’t think much knocks him. At the end of the game against Brentford, he cleared one and blocked the cross so that’s the risk that he takes.
"But he’s always good for us as that last line of defence and yeah, he’s been a really big player this season. It’s huge for us and helps as we do keep a high line and yeah it’s a risk but more often than not he gets it right."
Burn has helped guide the Magpies to two wins in consecutive away trips and the squad are now looking to make it a trio of road trip triumphs. The Geordie centre-back said: "It's huge, we were a bit slow starting after the winter break but now we’ve settled into a rhythm and it keeps coming thick and fast.
"With three games that quick and to pick up maximum points shows the character and togetherness in the squad."
READ NEXT
Allan Saint-Maximin hope as Newcastle get further double injury boost before Aston Villa fixture
Newcastle have top four ace Liverpool loved as truth about his exit and new role is revealed
Newcastle lover showed true colours while playing for Sunderland without crowd even knowing
Newcastle 'looking at' new training ground as Amanda Staveley reveals solution to £800,000 bill
