Aston Villa v Newcastle United: William Osula has been unleashed by Eddie Howe at Villa Park.
Eddie Howe has made six changes for the match following some fresh injury blows. The Magpies are without Bruno Guimaraes after the Brazilian suffered a hamstring injury last time out against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Newcastle captain is set to be out until around April with the injury. Joelinton, Lewis Miley, Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento and Emil Krafth remain out while there were two fresh absences in addition to Guimaraes at Villa Park with Sven Botman and Yoane Wissa not making the trip.
Botman has been rested for the match while Wissa is out with a knock, according to official club sources.
The match also marks the return of William Osula to Newcastle’s starting line-up for only the third time this season and first time since September after an ankle injury ruled him out for almost three months.
Despite limited minutes, Osula has contributed with three goals for Newcastle so far this season.
His start at Villa Park comes after a failed summer transfer to Aston Villa, who are said to retain an interest in the 22-year-old forward.
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Aston Villa linked with William Osula
After limited first-team opportunities since joining Newcastle from Sheffield United in 2024 for an initial £10million, Osula was close to leaving the club in the summer amid interest from Aston Villa and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Villa were blocked from completing a move due to UEFA financial rules as the clubs had already done transfer business earlier in the window, with Jacob Ramsey heading to Newcastle for £39million.
Osula looked set to join Frankfurt for around £30million after deals were agreed for Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa only for a late U-turn on deadline day.
Explaining the failed exit for Osula, Howe said: “It was quite close for him that he could have left, in a variety of ways, whether that was a loan, which was always our preference because I think from our view, we wanted Will to play.
“We wanted him to continue his development, which he did brilliantly last year, because I think he committed to a path of limited game time, but big training time.
“A lot of work with Graeme Jones, a lot of reviewing his performances, then a lot of putting work into action. And the next step for me was for him to try and play regularly. So that was the aim, and especially with us bringing two strikers in, the thought was that he could continue that development best on the football pitch.
“Obviously, it didn't happen, and much to our relief, it didn't happen because obviously, Yoane picked up an injury. And Will's vitally important. We believe in his talents.”
Newcastle United line-up v Aston Villa
Villa will get a closer look at Osula as he leads the line for Newcastle this evening. Jacob Ramsey also starts for The Magpies on his return to Villa Park.
NUFC XI v Aston Villa: Ramsdale; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Ramsey, Murphy; Barnes, Osula, Woltemade
Subs: Pope, Ruddy, Gordon, Elanga, Willock, A.Murphy, Shahar, Neave, Seung-soo
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