Aston Villa vs Newcastle United. Premier League.
Villa ParkAttendance41,821.
Watch Aston Villa vs Newcastle live from 7pm on Sky Sports Premier League; kick-off 8pm. Match highlights available shortly after full-time on the Sky Sports website and app
Monday 25 November 2019 21:04, UK
Team news, key stats and prediction ahead of Aston Villa vs Newcastle in the Premier League.
Jack Grealish is set to skipper the Aston Villa side in their Premier League home clash with Newcastle on Monday after four weeks out with a calf injury.
Goalkeeper Tom Heaton is also likely to play after missing the defeat to Wolves last time out with a calf problem, but deputy Jed Steer is out for up to four months with a partial tear in his Achilles.
Defenders Bjorn Engels and Matt Targett should also figure after overcoming a hip injury and concussion respectively, but winger Jota (hernia) and striker Keinan Davis (hamstring) are not ready to return.
Newcastle are hoping Ciaran Clark is passed fit to face his former club after already seeing captain Jamaal Lascelles ruled out until the new year.
Lascelles has fractured his tibia and faces several weeks out, while Clark reported back from Republic of Ireland duty carrying a knock.
Florian Lejeuene and Fabian Schar are back in training and could provide the defensive cavalry but Sean Longstaff completes a three-game ban and Matt Ritchie is still out with longstanding ankle trouble.
Aston Villa vs Newcastle is live on Monday Night Football from 7pm; kick-off 8pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app.
Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
I have been impressed with both of these sides. Steve Bruce wants to play better football but he has a lack of choices. Newcastle fans have to admit that this is a tough job and he is having to battle through, which I think he has done superbly thus far.
Bruce may just be proving his point that he needs a couple of players. Mike Ashley may not be able to give him exactly what he wants but he could get a couple of loan deals or get one through the door if someone leaves.
John McGinn is playing further forward and it is working a trick. Aston Villa need to nurture and control leads much better, and at times they leave themselves vulnerable.
That being said, I have to admire the way Dean Smith goes about it. Villa is also Bruce's old club and will sit in once again, but Villa will sneak it. There is enough about them to create enough chances.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (8/1 with Sky Bet)