Newcastle face Aston Villa with Joelinton in contention for Premier League return

Newcastle will host Aston Villa at 16:30 GMT on Saturday in a meeting between two sides preparing for the seventh round of the English championship. Joelinton is in contention to return to Newcastle’s starting XI, while Aston Villa manager Unai Emery must cope with three significant absences.

Newcastle

Newcastle have received an encouraging update on the injury front after Joelinton and Dan Burn both returned to action as substitutes last Monday.

Burn is thought to be short of full fitness and may not be ready to start against Aston Villa. Joelinton, however, has completed a normal week of training and is available for selection. His potential return would provide Newcastle with greater physical presence and energy in midfield.

The Newcastle XI expected to start is:

Goalkeeper: Hornicek

Defenders: Dedic, Thiaw, Botman, Hall

Midfielders: Joelinton, Gonzalez, Willock

Forwards: Murphy, Osula, Barnes

Joelinton’s inclusion would be the main change from the side that featured without him, although Burn’s condition means Newcastle may retain the defensive arrangement indicated above.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa travel without Amadou Onana, who faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a cruciate ligament rupture. The midfielder is considered a central figure in Unai Emery’s team.

Ian Maatsen is also unavailable because of an ankle injury, while Matteo Ruggeri will miss the match after sustaining a hamstring injury. Ruggeri is expected to remain out for more than a month.

The Aston Villa XI expected to start is:

Goalkeeper: Suzuki

Defenders: Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Wan-Bissaka

Midfielders: Kamara, Gomes, McGinn

Forwards: Buendia, Manzambi, Jackson

The match forms part of the seventh round of the Premier League, with Newcastle looking to take advantage of Joelinton’s improved fitness and Aston Villa having to adjust to the absence of Onana, Maatsen and Ruggeri.

According to the odds provided by 1xbet, Newcastle are priced at 2.26 to win, the draw is listed at 3.86 and an Aston Villa victory is valued at 3.19.