Newcastle United's Jacob Ramsey is set to return to Villa Park for the first time since leaving Aston Villa in the summer
Jacob Ramsey scored the winner for Newcastle at Tottenham in midweek
Jacob Ramsey scored the winner for Newcastle at Tottenham in midweek(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
View Image
Eddie Howe hopes that Jacob Ramsey’s winner at Tottenham will be a "turning point" for the midfielder as he prepares to return to Villa Park for the first time since leaving his boyhood club.
Ramsey joined Newcastle United from Aston Villa for an initial £39 million in the summer, plus add-ons.
The 24-year-old completed his move to Tyneside a day after Villa drew 0-0 with Newcastle on the opening weekend of the Premier League.
Ramsey came off the bench for Howe in Newcastle’s 2-0 home defeat to Villa back in January and could play from the off against his former club on Saturday.
He has started to find his feet at Newcastle after a difficult first few months, which were hampered by injury, and opened his account for the club on Tuesday, scoring the winner at Spurs.
“It can never be underestimated how difficult that is, for any player to leave a club that you’ve been associated with for so long,” Howe said about Ramsey’s time at Newcastle so far.
“Then, you have to feel that immediate new identity with the team you’ve joined. That takes longer for some people than others.
“I’m not saying that was the case for Jacob, because I don’t know how he felt deep down.
Ensure our latest Villa headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search
“Certainly the first few weeks and the first few games you play can be difficult in a new team, especially if it’s a slightly different way of playing, or a slightly different way of playing for him.
“He had a lot to take in. I have to say that he has done it all with real professionalism.
“There have been no issues with him. He has worked really hard at his game. He has been really conscientious and really good around the training ground.
“I think he has settled in really well with his teammates. He has good friendship groups, and he looks really happy.
“But there is nothing better than actually contributing and helping your team win a game. There’s no better way to feel part of the Newcastle family than that.
“That will be a big turning point for him, hopefully.”
Content cannot be displayed without consent
The latest Villa headlines sent straight to your phone
Join our Aston Villa WhatsApp group and get the latest breaking news, interviews and opinion sent straight to your phone, plus matchday team news and live updates of all the action. Just click on this link and select ‘Join Community’ to get started. The only proviso is that you must have WhatsApp on your phone to participate. It's a free service. No one will be able to see your personal information and you will only receive messages from our Villa writers.
We will not spam your WhatsApp feed with constant messages, but you will receive updates from us daily with the latest Villa news. If you later decide to opt out, just go to the name at the top of your screen and click 'Exit Group'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. Click here to read our Privacy Notice