Can Newcastle win three games in a row? Might there be a midfield beauty
contest between Aston Villa’s Philippe Coutinho and Newcastle’s Brazilian new boy Bruno Guimarães? Will Eddie Howe’s £25m centre-forward Chris Wood break his Tyneside scoring duck? Is Steven Gerrard’s defence capable of succeeding where Frank Lampard’s Everton backline failed on Tuesday night in containing Howe’s very own wizard of the dribble, Allan Saint-Maximin? Another 52,000 sell-out crowd at St James’ Park will enjoy discovering the answers. Louise Taylor
Sunday 2pm Sky Sports Premier League
Venue St James’ Park
Last season Newcastle 1 Aston Villa 1
Referee Craig Pawson
This season G15 Y60 R1 4.06 cards/game
Odds H 7-4 A 6-4 D 12-5
NEWCASTLE
Subs from Darlow, Burn, Dummett, Krafth, Willock, Longstaff, Almirón, Murphy,
Gayle
Doubtful Trippier (calf), Dummett (calf)
Injured Fernández (thigh, Mar) Wilson (calf, Apr), Ritchie (knee, unknown)
Uanvailable Targett (loan terms)
Suspended None
Discipline Y61 R2
Form LLDDWW
Leading scorer Wilson 6
ASTON VILLA
Subs from Steer, Sinisalo, Philogene-Bidace, Carney Chukwuemeka, Archer, Young, Smith, Olsen, Hause, Bailey, Traoré, Trezeguet
Doubtful Buendía (knock)
Injured Nakamba (knee, Apr)
Suspended Konsa (first of two)
Discipline Y46 R2
Form WLLDWD
Leading scorers Ramsey, Watkins 5
