Newcastle United host Aston Villa, who will have new boss Unai Emery watching on ahead of his official start date next week. The Magpies are hoping to record their sixth win of the Premier League season and extend their unbeaten run to eight matches when Villa visit St James’ Park.
However, Eddie Howe, boosted by last Sunday’s 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur, knows that is no easy task, especially given Villa’s managerial situation. Aaron Danks will remain in caretaker charge and will look to build on last weekend’s 4-0 win over Brentford at Villa Park, while the players hope to catch Emery’s eye.
“Very dangerous,” Howe said on Villa. “There are a lot of stories down the years of a change of manager and a change of fortune and change of result - just that natural bounce you get when someone fresh comes into the building.
“We’re playing the same players from our perspective we can’t be underestimating Aston Villa in any way. I know the players won’t. It’s then about committing to what we want to do and try and implement that as best as we can.”
Allan Saint-Maximin is in line to return against Villa but will he start? Here’s how NewcastleWorld expect the Magpies to line-up versus Aston Villa:
1. GK: Nick Pope
Pope has played every minute of Newcastle’s 12 Premier League fixtures so far. A clean sheet against Aston Villa will be his sixth of the campaign.
2. RB: Kieran Trippier
Trippier is one of two outfield players to start every Premier League game for Newcastle this season. So influential at both ends of the pitch.
3. CB: Fabian Schar
Schar has quietly gone about his business this season. Defended superbly at Spurs and also help create Callum Wilson’s opener.
4. CB: Sven Botman
Botman has quickly earned the tag ‘Rolls Royce defender’, and that was again justified with a top-class display away at Tottenham.