NEWCASTLE UNITED Krul Simpson, S.Taylor, Coloccini, Santon  Cabaye, Anita, Gutierrez Ben Arfa, Cisse, Ba

ASTON VILLA Given Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, Bennett Herd, Bannan, El Ahmadi, N'Zogbia Bent, Holman

Ciaran Clark is suspended for Aston Villa after being sent off in the defeat to Everton, with Gary Gardner (knee ligament) having being ruled out for the season.

Marc Albrighton (foot), Richard Dunne (groin) and Gabriel Agbonlahor (knee) are all unavailable for at least the next few weeks.

Samir Carruthers (ankle) rounds off a lengthy injury list for Paul Lambert’s men.

• Newcastle have not lost to Aston Villa at St James’ Park since 2005, when they fell to a 3-0 defeat under Graeme Souness.

• Keiron Dyer and Lee Bowyer were both sent-off for the Magpies that day as the two players engaged in an infamous brawl following an on-field disagreement. Steven Taylor (pictured, right) was also dismissed for handball.

• Newcastle’s biggest win in recent years came against Aston Villa, as they romped to a 6-0 win in the second game of 2010-11 campaign.

• Newcastle are just two goals short of 1000 in the Premier League era.

• Aston Villa have won just 14 of the 73 league encounters between the two sides at St James’ Park.

• The Villans have failed to score in six of their last eight away matches, including the last four in a row. They have never gone five games in a row away from home without scoring in the Premier League era.

• Only Sunderland (2) – who have played one less game - have had fewer shots on target than Aston Villa (4) so far this season.