Newcastle and Aston Villa: Joelinton set for return as probable line-ups emerge

Newcastle are expected to welcome Joelinton back into the starting line-up when they host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday at 16:30 GMT.

The meeting forms part of the seventh round of the English championship, with both sides preparing for a significant early-season fixture. Newcastle have received encouraging news on the injury front after Joelinton and Dan Burn both returned to action as substitutes last Monday.

Burn is believed to remain short of full fitness and may not be ready to start. Joelinton, however, has trained normally throughout the week and is available to reclaim his place in midfield.

Newcastle’s predicted line-up is Hornicek in goal, with Sesko, Thiaw, Botman and Hall forming the defence. Joelinton, Gonzalez and Willock are expected to operate in midfield, while Murphy, Osula and Barnes make up the attacking trio.

Newcastle’s probable XI

Goalkeeper: Hornicek

Defenders: Dedic, Thiaw, Botman, Hall

Midfielders: Joelinton, Gonzalez, Willock

Forwards: Murphy, Osula, Barnes

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has more significant selection problems to deal with before the trip to Newcastle. The club will be without Amadou Onana for an extended period after he suffered a cruciate ligament rupture.

Ian Maatsen is also unavailable because of an ankle injury, while Matteo Ruggeri is expected to miss more than a month with a hamstring problem. Those absences leave Emery without three important options, including a central figure in his midfield.

Villa are expected to start Suzuki in goal. Cash, Lindelof, Torres and Wan-Bissaka are the likely defensive back four, with Kamara, Gomes and captain McGinn forming the midfield.

Buendia, Manzambi and Jackson are projected to lead the visitors’ attack.

Aston Villa’s probable XI

Goalkeeper: Suzuki

Defenders: Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Wan-Bissaka

Midfielders: Kamara, Gomes, McGinn

Forwards: Buendia, Manzambi, Jackson

The match will be Newcastle’s seventh fixture of the English league campaign and is scheduled to begin at 16:30 GMT on Saturday.

Pre-match betting prices list Newcastle as favourites at 2.26. The odds for a draw are 3.86, while Aston Villa are priced at 3.19 to win.