Newcastle fear 'devastating' injury blow for Aston Villa as Eddie Howe forced into change

Newcastle United have won back-to-back Premier League games for the first time this season following a 3-1 victory over Everton at St. James' Park last night.

The win came after the 1-0 defeat of Leeds United prior to the two-and-a-half week mid-season break from league duties.

Eddie Howe's side will host Aston Villa this Sunday in hope of remaining unbeaten for three consecutive games - a feat they haven't managed since the back end of last season.

But their recent victory over Frank Lampard's Everton might have come at a cost.

Kieran Trippier, the Magpies’ man of the match on the night and scorer of the third, limped off in stoppage time after signalling to depart.

After attempting to block an Andros Townsend cross on the 90-minute mark, he pulled up immediately and signalled to the bench that he needed to be replaced.

Howe has revealed that he does have a ‘slight calf issue’ and will be assessed ahead of the Villa game this weekend.

“I think Kieran’s got a slight calf issue," the Newcastle boss said.

“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.”

Howe will be forced into at least one change for the game, as left-back Matt Targett is ineligible to feature against his parent club.