Newcastle will aim to improve their poor record away from home in the Premier League so far this season when they visit Aston Villa on Tuesday.
The Magpies have taken just five points from the ten league games they’ve played on their travels so far in 2023/24 and a dramatic turnaround in the face of mass injuries is needed if Eddie Howe’s side are to stand a chance of qualifying for European football.
They face a tough task in overturning Villa, who hold the most dominant home record in the Premier League this season.
Here’s the side Howe could deploy at Villa Park on Tuesday night.
GK: Martin Dubravka – Continues to fill in for Nick Pope, who isn’t expected back until April or May.
RB: Kieran Trippier – No longer of interest to Bayern Munich, who ditched their pursuit of the England right-back to sign Sacha Boey instead.
CB: Fabian Schar – Booked in Saturday’s win at Fulham but otherwise led a superb defensive effort from the Magpies.
CB: Sven Botman – Played a key role in Burn’s goal at Craven Cottage, seeing his header saved into the big left-back’s path.
LB: Dan Burn – Now has four goals in all competitions this season, his best haul since managing six for Wigan in 2017/18.
CM: Sean Longstaff – Might have had his goal against Fulham ruled out on another day for handball against Bruno Guimaraes, but instead it counts as the fourth of his season.
CM: Bruno Guimaraes – Remains a big transfer target for Paris Saint-Germain and could end up being a player Newcastle sell to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.
CM: Lewis Miley – Celebrated his emergence in the first-team squad with a new contract this week. Can expect much more game time with Joelinton ruled out for the season.
RW: Jacob Murphy – Miguel Almiron will miss out on Tuesday’s trip due to illness, leaving the right-wing spot open to the hadworking Murphy.
ST: Alexander Isak – Is enjoying another fruitful run of form with five goals in his last five games, though didn’t net in Saturday’s win.
LW: Anthony Gordon – Just hit his one-year anniversary since joining Newcastle from Everton last year and also recently reached 100 Premier League appearances.
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