Dwight Gayle and Joelinton both start for Newcastle as the Magpies look to pull themselves clear of the Premier League’s bottom three by beating Aston Villa at St. James’ Park.
Gayle had to settle for a substitute appearance against West Brom at the Hawthorns on Sunday but comes in for just his second start of the campaign against the Villans, who will be bidding for an eighth away win of the season tonight. The frontman replaces Jeff Hendrick in the Magpies’ only change.
For Joelinton, it is a fourth start in succession. It remains to be see whether the Brazilian begins out wide or more central, with Ryan Fraser and Joe Willock also starting for Newcastle.
Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden continue together in the engine room, with Paul Dummett, Ciaran Clark, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth making up the backline left to right. Martin Dúbravka continues in goal at the expense of Karl Darlow.
Andy Carroll is United’s only out and out forward player on the bench, though head coach Steve Bruce has been boosted by the return of Federico Fernández and Javier Manquillo, who are both among the Magpies’ substitutes.
Newcastle United: Martin Dúbravka, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett, Isaac Hayden, Jonjo Shelvey, Joe Willock, Ryan Fraser, Joelinton, Dwight Gayle.
Substitutes: Karl Darlow, Javier Manquillo, Federico Fernández, Jamal Lewis, Jacob Murphy, Matt Ritchie, Jeff Hendrick, Sean Longstaff, Andy Carroll.