Aston Villa blamed for late Newcastle United blow against West Ham

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe revealed that star attacker Allan Saint-Maximin missed out on playing against West Ham on Saturday after getting "kicked" against Aston Villa.

The Magpies secured a shock win over Steven Gerrard's side in the Premier League last week thanks to a brilliantly struck direct free-kick by Kieran Trippier in the 35th minute.

Villa failed to find an equaliser during a poor performance that saw the team lose 1-0, the sixth defeat in 13 games under the new boss.

Although the hosts got three vital points in their bid to beat the drop this season, they suffered a massive blow as Trippier was subbed off with a foot injury that required an operation.

It now turns out that Newcastle endured a double blow from that game, as Saint-Maximin was surprisingly left out of the matchday squad for Saturday's 1-1 draw with West Ham.

As per the Chronicle, Howe said before the early kickoff that the French winger "was kicked at various times during the game" against Villa last Sunday.

After the game he elaborated: "He got a kick on his calf last week and it was too sore to play today - it was a late call, we hoped he might make the game but he didn't."