Newcastle will go into tonight’s game at St. James’ with more confidence than they have shown in the majority of this season after a good win last Wednesday, but they face a Villa team who their last three games.
Newcastle’s problems have been well documented this season, with owner Mike Ashley being at the centre of it all, but the whole club has been affected. As well as the off the pitch, there have been disruptions on it too, with a number of injuries hitting the squad.
Villa had won all three of the games they had in the short six day period last week, but face another three in six this week. After a rousing performance and win at home against Ajax, the Midlands side took the potentially difficult test of Wigan away in their stride winning emphatically 4-0. Wednesday last saw the Villans look jaded and play below par, but manage to battle for all the points at Villa Park against Blackburn.
Michael Owen looks set to be fit, but will start on the Bench, for Villa Stan Petrov and Steve Sidwell have travelled North but both face late fitness tests. Martin O’Neill is likely to make some changes to keep his squad fresh for the trip to Prague, where Villa face Sparta Prague on Thursday night for their second UEFA cup group stage game.
Probable teams
Newcastle: Given is a shoe-in between the sticks. Taylor, Coloccini, Beye and Enrique look set to continue as the back four. Butt, Guthrie and Barton look to fight for the 2 central midfield roles with Duff and Gutierrez adding the width. Ameobi and Martins will retain their places in attack.
Villa: Freidel should continue in goal. Luke Young and Shorey are still the only recognised full-backs in the squad. Cuellar and Captain Laursen could keep their places, but Knight and Davies will be playing at some point in the next week. Ashley Young will start on the left with Milner set to be on the right against his former club. Depending on fitness tests two of Barry, Petrov, Reo-Coker and Sidwell will be in the engine room, with the former pushing for his first league start for Villa. Agbonlahor and Carew will look to renew their partnership after the Norwegian had turned the last two games from the bench.
Newcastle United – Aston Villa
03/11/08 20:00 (Setanta Sports)
