Aston Villa v Newcastle United: predicted line-up, team news and match preview

Aston Villa welcome Newcastle United to Villa Park for the second time in the 2025-26 season in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Villa beat Tottenham Hotspur to secure their place in the fourth round, while Premier League rivals Newcastle United defeated AFC Bournemouth on penalties.

Both teams have European football to consider as well as their own targets in the league, but both have a thirst for silverware – Newcastle after getting a taste last season, Villa because it’s been so long since their last.

Newcastle have injury issues too

As much as I’m not willing to allow injuries as an excuse for underperformance on Villa’s part in some of their recent matches, there’s no denying that they have posed a challenge for manager Unai Emery and his players.

It’s something I think the team should have the wherewithal to negotiate. While the biggest problem is that the absences are concentrated in one key area, there’s been some good fortune along the way too. Where Villa’s squad is thinnest, they’ve largely been able to field their first choice players.

The same hasn’t always been true for Newcastle, who continue to contend with injuries of their own.

Eddie Howe is hopeful that some of those problems will be over and done with by the time the Magpies play their next Premier League fixture against Manchester City next Sunday but is expected to be without Joelinton, Lewis Miley and Emil Krafth on Saturday.

The same trio have been all but ruled out of Wednesday’s Champions League play-off round first leg against Qarabağ too, those I’m sure they’ll enjoy the rest if Howe doesn’t make them travel to that one.

Captain Bruno Guimarães could be out for a week longer, with Tino Livramento and Fabian Schär significantly further away.

Villa team news

The home team will be without right-backs Matty Cash and Andrés García due to injury. Both should be available for the next game in the Premier League but have been ruled out for Saturday.

George Hemmings missed out on the matchday squad on Wednesday with a minor injury, adding to persistent problems in midfield. John McGinn could be back in the next month or so, with Youri Tielemans out for a little longer and Boubacar Kamara done for the season.

Villa predicted line-up v Newcastle

There’s not an awful lot Emery can do in terms of shuffling the pack for this FA Cup tie but there are some opportunities to rest players and a few decisions to make with a view to giving one or two a chance to make an impact.

I’d be unleashing Tammy Abraham for this one but I think Emery will stick with Ollie Watkins up front. I’m going to have a bit of a punt and say that the Villa manager will set this one up for Jadon Sancho and Alysson to make something happen in the channels.

Emery might be keen to take the last midfielders standing out of the firing line on Saturday but will be prevented from doing so by the extent of Villa’s injuries in that area and indeed at right-back.

Lamare Bogarde is needed there again, and I think Victor Lindelöf could come back into the side along with Pau Torres, who has started the last couple of games on the bench. To ensure some mobility, that means Ian Maatsen coming in at left-back.

Where to watch Villa v Newcastle

Villa’s home game against Newcastle will be broadcast live on BBC ONE and TNT Sports 3 in the UK.

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➡️ How to watch Aston Villa v Newcastle United: kick-off time, TV channels and streams

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