Huge blow: Newcastle facing major setback before Aston Villa, Howe will be worried - opinion

Newcastle United are facing a major setback before their Premier League clash against Aston Villa this weekend.

Eddie Howe’s side registered an impressive 3-1 victory at home to Everton in mid-week, with Kieran Trippier scoring a sublime freekick. However, the England international did appear to pick up a little niggle, and was forced off in the final few minutes of the contest.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, the Magpies boss said: “I think Kieran’s got a slight calf issue. He motioned that he needed to come off, so we’ll have to see how that is.

“It would be devastating to lose him in the form he’s in.”

Aside from the superb free-kick against the Toffees, Trippier has brought a steely resolve and leadership at the back for Newcastle – something they desperately need in the second-half of this Premier League season.

While it is only a small sample size of three Premier League games, as per Whoscored, his average match rating of 7.88 is by far the highest of any Newcastle player this season.

He also ranks top for tackles and interceptions made per game, and is also right at the top for key passes too – the kind of all-action displays from right-back that have had the St James’ Park faithful purring.

And, speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Pete O’Rourke admitted that being without Trippier for a significant amount of time would be a major blow for the Magpies.

He said: “I think it would be a big blow to Eddie Howe. Trippier has come and really slotted straight into the team. He has been a big improvement on what they’ve got.”

With momentum well and truly on their side, Howe will be desperate to keep things going when his side take on Villa, and being without Trippier for that game, and potentially longer,