Sven Botman of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Brentford at St James' Park on February 07, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)placeholder image
Sven Botman of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Brentford at St James' Park on February 07, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United were without Bruno Guimaraes, Yoane Wissa and Sven Botman for their FA Cup win over Aaton Villa.
On the eve of the game, it was revealed that Guimaraes would be sidelined for the next two months after picking up a hamstring injury during Tuesday night’s 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur.
But what wasn’t made public beforehand was the double absence of Sven Botman and Yoane Wissa.
Why Sven Botman and Yoane Wissa were missing for Newcastle United v Aston Villa
Botman played 90 minutes in midweek while Wissa was an unused substitute.
Eddie Howe suggested Botman was being rested after feeling some discomfort in his back. The Dutchman had an injection in his back late last year, which ruled him out for five weeks.
Wissa, meanwhile, picked up an unspecified knock in training on Friday which could see him miss the next two matches against Qarabag on Wednesday and Manchester City next Saturday.
Explaining the duo’s absence, Howe said: “I'm not 100% sure on both.
“Sven's feeling is back from the game against Tottenham. We don't think it's a serious injury, certainly hope he won't be out for any period of time, but it was the right decision not to let him travel today.
“Yoane picked up a knock in training yesterday. Again we don't think it's serious, but he may miss a couple of games, let's wait and see.”
Newcastle United injury list
It meant the Magpies were without eight senior players against Villa, with Tino Livramento and Fabian Schar sidelined until March and April, respectively, while Emil Krafth still has no definitive return date.
Midfielders Lewis Miley and Joelinton also missed the game, though it is hoped the pair are close to a return.
Speaking on Friday, Howe said: “With Lewy, we're waiting sort of day by day,” Howe said. “He's got a sort of a dead leg. So he got a bad knock to his thigh. I think there's a little bit of muscle damage on the knock.
“So sort of having scans on it sort of every few days to see how that is. We don't think it's going to be long-term. Hopefully, he'll be back pretty quickly. So let's wait and see on that one.
“Joelinton is doing really well. I don't think he'll make this game, but he's not going to be too far away beyond this game. So he's desperate to be back involved as he normally is, but that's a great sign for us.
“That means he's feeling good about his body and he's very positive.”
Newcastle United issue Bruno Guimaraes injury update
Providing an update on Guimaraes, Howe said: “I think the timeframe will be the timeframe really on this injury, I don't think there's any miracle cure for him. I think it will be a couple of months, as you say, we're probably looking at the end of the March international break for his return.
“Massive blow for us, key stage of the season, he's devastated but it is what it is, we can't do anything about it, we just have to try and get him back safely and other players have to step up in his absence.
“I felt they did that today. Look at our midfield three today in Nick Woltemade, Ramsey and Tonali and I thought we were excellent.”
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