Newcastle v Aston Villa: match preview

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

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

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