Will Bruno Guimaraes start for Newcastle United against Aston Villa? Eddie Howe drops selection hint

Eddie Howe insists Bruno Guimaraes is ready to make his first Newcastle United start against Aston Villa.

However, the Magpies head coach refused to give his team selection away as he eyes a third consecutive win in the Premier League.

Howe resisted calls from supporters to start the Brazilian versus Everton on Tuesday, which was justified as United ran out 3-1 winners.

But those calls have not gone away after he wowed the St James’ Park crowd with a cheeky backheel to Joelinton during his cameo appearance.

Howe admitted his reluctance to change a winning team following back-to-back wins against Leeds United and Frank Lampard’s Toffees.

And the impressive displays of midfielders Joe Willock, Jonjo Shelvey and Joelinton in those games suggests Guimaraes may have to wait a little longer for his first start.

‘He’s fit and ready to play’

“He’s ready to play. He’s fit to play,” Howe said when asked if Guimaraes is ready to start a game.

“Certainly he’s shown all the technical qualities we loved about him in training already but it’s a case of managing the group from my side and making sure I make the right selections for each game that is very different.

“The midfield balance against Everton was really good with Joelinton, Joe Willock and Jonjo (Shelvey) in there, I thought the three players did really well.

“Bruno will play a lot of games for this football club, I’ve got no doubt about that. So, it’s great to have competition for places.”

Dan Burn awaits debut

Dan Burn is the only one out of United’s five January signings still waiting to make his debut.

Burn, a £13million addition from Brighton and Hove Albion, was an unused substitute against the Toffees with Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar selected ahead of him at centre-back.

However, there is a chance the Blyth-born 29-year-old could play at left-back on Sunday with Matt Targett ineligible to face his parent club.

Burn is no stranger to playing at full-back with the 6ft7 defender having played there regularly throughout his senior career, which started at Darlington in 2009.