Our projected lineup below as Steve Bruce’s men attempt to end their disparaging winless streak. Who sits and who starts against Newcastle United? – a club on the fast track back to the Premier League.
Aston Villa will catch a break on Monday through a key Newcastle United injury. 21-year old central midfielder Isaac Hayden is facing four weeks on the sidelines after an ankle operation. However, the injury should be too steep a challenge for Newcastle; the club already has other quality options in Jonjo Shelvey, Jack Colback, and Vurnon Anita.
With all of Aston Villa’s goalkeeping troubles over the years, the Birmingham Mail shared an interesting story on Newcastle number one Karl Darlow. At age 16, Darlow was released from his Villa scholarship. Ten years later and Darlow is starring for the Magpies after beating out Tim Krul, Matz Sels, and Rob Elliot in between the posts.
It is crazy to think Newcastle have four goalkeepers that would likely start for Aston Villa.
On the Villa side, Neil Taylor and Mile Jedinak are set to return after injury layoffs. James Bree, however, is a doubt with a knee problem.
PROJECTED ASTON VILLA XI (4-1-2-3): Johnstone; Hutton, Chester, Baker, Taylor; Jedinak; Lansbury, Hourihane; Adomah, Hogan, Kodjia.
SUBSTITUTES: Bunn, Elphick, Amavi, Gardner, Bacuna, Bjarnason, Grealish.
The return of Mile Jedinak creates the midfield variant Villa fans have been craving. Jedinak will shield the backline which gives Henri Lansbury the ability to roam. Conor Hourihane will act as the facilitator between the midfield and attack.
Playing a 4-3-3 forces one of Scott Hogan or Jonathan Kodjia to the left wing, where the Ivorian will reluctantly go. Neil Taylor races to the touchline so that Kodjia can play more centrally…
Next: Aston Villa Enter Another Crisis Situation
Sam Johnstone continues in net. Moreover, Alan Hutton continues at right back, though Leandro Bacuna is deserving of a look (really any defender not named Alan Hutton is worthy of a look at right fullback).
Kickoff: Monday, 3:00PM Eastern Time
The match is live on Sky Sports and BeIn Sports.