Malick Thiaw of Newcastle United (R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates Anthony Elanga (C) and Sven Botman (L) during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)placeholder image
Malick Thiaw of Newcastle United (R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates Anthony Elanga (C) and Sven Botman (L) during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United are without Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman and Yoane Wissa against Aston Villa.
The Magpies ended a run of three consecutive Premier League defeats with a 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night.
But the evening wasn’t all positive after Bruno Guimaraes limped off in stoppage time with a hamstring injury. And on the eve of the trip to Villa Park, it was revealed Eddie Howe’s side will be without their captain until April.
Newcastle United confirmed starting XI v Aston Villa
Guimaraes is among six changes for the win in North London as Aaron Ramsdale, Lewis Hall, Sandro Tonali, William Osula, Jacob Murphy and Nick Woltemade come into the starting XI.
Nick Pope, Sven Botman, Anthony Gordon, Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock make way. The bench is supplemented with four youngsters in Alex Murphy, Leo Shahar, Sean Neave and Seung-soo Park.
Park features on the first-team bench for the first time since the Premier League opening day draw away to Villa in August.
XI: Aaron Ramsdale, Kieran Trippier (c), Lewis Hall, Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, Malick Thiaw, William Osula, Jacob Murphy, Nick Woltemade, Dan Burn, Jacob Ramsey.
SUBS: Nick Pope, John Ruddy, Anthony Gordon, Anthony Elanga, Joe Willock, Alex Murphy, Leo Shahar, Sean Neave, Seung-soo Park.
Sven Botman and Yoane Wissa missing for Newcastle United v Aston Villa
Neither Botman or Wissa are included in the matchday squad. Botman played 90 minutes against Spurs in midweek, while Wissa was an unused substitute.
NewcastleWorld has been told that Botman is being rested and Wissa is missing due to an unspecified knock.
Jacob Ramsey starts against former club Aston Villa
Ramsey starts against his former club for the first since joining Newcastle for an initial £39m in the summer. The midfielder arrives full of confidence after scoring the winning goal in midweek.
“I do,” Howe said when asked if Ramsey is a Newcastle man now. “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.
“You've got to feel that immediate identity with your new team. Sometimes that takes longer for some people than others. I'm not saying that was the case with Jacob because I don't know how he felt deep down.
“You've got to feel that immediate identity with your new team. Sometimes that takes longer for some people than others. I'm not saying that was the case with Jacob because I don't know how he felt deep down.
“But certainly the first few weeks and the first few games you play can be difficult for a new team, especially if it's a slightly different way of playing and a slightly different position for him. He had a lot to take in. I've got to say he's done it all with real professionalism.”
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