Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has insisted that football is decided on the pitch, not by finances, ahead of their crucial clash with Aston Villa. Both clubs have been impacted by the league's PSR rules, but Howe remains focused on sporting merit over wage bills.

His comments follow the release of the Deloitte Football Money League, which showed Newcastle ranked 17th for revenue. Howe acknowledged the club has a long way to go commercially but stressed the importance of building revenue to compete sustainably against wealthier rivals.

The Magpies are chasing a European spot, while Villa sit third in the table. Howe believes his team can outperform their resources and upset the status quo, a philosophy he's held throughout his managerial career. Sunday's match is a key test of that belief.