Newcastle United FC

• Nickname:
• Founded:1892
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:
• Capacity:NaN

Preview: Newcastle v Aston Villa

19 Aug 2010 - 13:35:50

Click To Enlarge

Newcastle United entertain Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon as Premier League football returns to St James' Park.

The Magpies started the season with a tough trip to Manchester United on Monday and, despite falling to a far superior Red Devils side 3-0, manager Chris Hughton may have been buoyed by their early attacking intent at Old Trafford.

Powerful striker Andy Carroll should really have opened the scoring in the opening stages when he met Joey Barton's corner kick to perfection just six yards out. However, he nodded wide of Edwin van der Sar's goal and the hosts were eventually able to cruise to victory.

Wayne Routledge, Jonas Gutierrez, Jose Enrique and Carroll offered an attacking threat for the Magpies though and they will be looking to go for the jugular against Villa.

The visitors will be full of confidence after they eked out a comfortable 3-0 triumph over West Ham United at Villa Park, despite Martin O'Neill walking away from the club just five days before the season's start.

Caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald made a dream start at the helm and, although he is not expected to be handed the job on a full-time basis, his team impressed as Stewart Downing, Stiliyan Petrov and Manchester City-bound James Milner all notched.

With Newcastle's side somewhat devoid of pace, Villa winger Ashley Young and striker Gabriel Agbonlahor could have a field day in the north-east, should the latter pass a late fitness test.

He is struggling with a hamstring problem and could miss out again while defenders James Collins (calf) and Carlos Cuellar (hamstring) are also doubts.

Young midfielder Fabian Delph has a long-term knee injury and is some way from making a return.

The Magpies have a number of concerns ahead of the weekend bout with Peter Lovenkrands (groin) and Danny Guthrie (knee) rated as touch and go to feature.

New signing Dan Gosling (cruciate ligament) will not play until next year while Leon Best and Danny Simpson (both ankle) and Steven Taylor (shoulder) all remain sidelined.

Newcastle will be seeking to gain some form of revenge when Villa arrive on Sunday as it was the men in claret and blue that claimed the 1-0 win that sent them back to the second-tier of English football at the end of the 2008-09 season.

Unfortunate winger Damien Duff sliced Gareth Barry's free-kick from distance into the back of Steve Harper's net to send the Geordies down to the Championship.