Eddie Howe could make changes for today's FA Cup fourth-round tie with Aston Villa
Jacob Ramsey of Newcastle United
Newcastle United's Jacob Ramsey could face his former club Aston Villa(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
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Newcastle United are set to be without three key midfield players for the FA Cup fourth-round tie at Aston Villa tonight, with Eddie Howe ready to make more changes.
Sandro Tonali and Lewis Hall could come back into the side after dropping to the bench for the 2-1 win at Tottenham on Tuesday night, with both suitably rested.
Head coach Eddie Howe confirmed Joelinton and Lewis Miley were out of contention, while Bruno Guimaraes is a major doubt as they await the results of scans.
Up front, Howe has plenty of options, with Anthony Elanga impressing at Spurs. Neither Yoane Wissa nor Nick Woltemade started, with changes on the cards at Villa Park.
Here are the starting XIs our team of NUFC writers to would send out tonight.
Lee Ryder
Newcastle continue to be hit with injury woes and once one problem clears up, another one seems to take its place. For all that Eddie Howe still has some serious options and decisions to make on FA Cup fourth round day.
I'd start with a change of goalkeeper given Aaron Ramsdale should be rewarded for his display against AFC Bournemouth when he made a couple of top saves in the shoot-out and I'd back him to step up again if the game goes that far.
In normal circumstances, Kieran Trippier needs a rest but these aren't normal so he has little choice but to roll his sleeves up and do a job for the third time in a week at 35. I'd stick with Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman in the middle and probably give Dan Burn his shot at left-back again given he was a key figure in the win at Spurs.
I genuinely think Qarabag offers a chance to rest certain players given it is a two-legged affair. But if Newcastle's season domestically rests on the FA Cup, then going strong is vital.
You'd have to name Sandro Tonali in the starting XI alongside Jacob Ramsey and Joe Willock if Bruno is out. In attack it would be tempting to bring in a striker, but I'm intrigued to see what the three wingers in attack can do again, so I'm sticking with the trio that beat Spurs.
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Tonali, Ramsey, Willock, Barnes, Elanga, Gordon
Ross Gregory
In many ways, given the limited options at Eddie Howe’s disposal, the team almost picks itself but there are a number of interesting dilemmas. How do you get Lewis Hall back in without either changing the formation (which would mean Jacob Ramsey, Joe Willock or Harvey Barnes - who were all outstanding at Spurs - missing out) or dropping either Dan Burn or Sven Botman?
And in attack, do you recall Nick Woltemade or Yoane Wissa, or stick with Anthony Gordon as your frontman?
I’d go with the back five and task the centre halves with stepping onto Villa’s No10s. In the home game recently, Villa were outstanding at finding space between the lines with Emi Buendia, Morgan Rogers and Co a huge threat. They need to be stopped.
Sandro Tonali will have a key role in protecting those areas too. Ahead of him, let Gordon lead the line again and I’d given Barnes a breather with Joe Willock used higher up on the left side.
My NUFC XI: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Ramsey; Elanga, Willock, Gordon
Stuart Jamieson
With so few midfield options, it might make sense to switch to more of a 4-4-2 at Aston Villa. Anthony Elanga was imressive at Spurs and needs more game time to ensure that momentum doesn't fade, so I'm going for him on the right and Joe Willock of the left of a four-man midfield, giving Harvey Barnes a rest.
Up front, I would like to see what Anthony Gordon and Nick Woltemade can do together. I thought they linked up well in the first half at Man City and it would be good to give that another go. Lewis Hall comes in for Dan Burn in his usual left-back slot - but I'm sticking with Nick Pope in goal.
United can always switch to three in the centre of the pitch, with Gordon dropping wide, should they find themselves exposed in midfield.
My NUFC XI: Pope, Trppier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Ramsey, Elanga, Willock, Gordon, Woltemade
Pick your team
You've seen our sides, now it's your turn. Pick your NUFC XI before from the squad available this weekend.
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