It's Aston Villa versus Newcastle in the lunchtime Sky game this Saturday. It would be so easy to say we'll win this, and if Newcastle still had Sam Allardyce in charge I'd be predicting three points for Villa, without even thinking about it or writing anything else.

The thing is, they've got Kevin Keegan back and, like it or not, he could be the talisman that Newcastle need to challenge for top four.

They do say you should never go back to a previous club but Keegan could be one of those where that rule doesn't apply. He almost did it last time when he was at Newcastle and, as a football fan, you can see why Newcastle have taken the risk with him again. I think the risk will prove to be worth it – as long as he is given time and the tools.

‘They do say you should never go back to a previous club but Keegan could be one of those where that rule doesn't apply.’

Last time, back in the mid-’90s, it didn't happen overnight for Newcastle and I've got a feeling that if Keegan is given the time and funds he'll get it right – but the stranglehold the top four have is a tough nut to crack and when you factor in you've got teams like Villa, Manchester City and Everton also vying to break in, it's going to be tougher.

There is also this media-driven frenzy that says you've got to get it right straight away – we're suffering from that, to some extent at the moment, but overall I think our supporters will give Martin O'Neill time. Whether Keegan gets that or not remains to be seen and could be the deciding factor.

While I believe KK will get it right eventually, I think he will struggle with his current squad. Not because they're not good enough, mostly because I think he's got a few players there for the money, sitting very happily in their comfort zone. Keegan needs more flair players and one or two hungrier players in the team.