| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
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ASTON VILLA
Guzan Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Bennett Delph, Westwood, Ireland N'Zogbia, Benteke, Agbonlahor |
NEWCASTLE Krul Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini, Santon Anita, Sissoko Gutierrez, Cabaye, Marveaux Cisse |
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is likely to recall striker Christian Benteke for the visit of Newcastle United on Tuesday night, after the Belgium striker missed the FA Cup defeat at Millwall.
Lamber may also be able to call on the services of defender Nathan Baker (hamstring), after the youngster returned to first-team training.
The Villans will be without Marc Albrighton and Chris Herd (both foot), Richard Dunne (groin) and Gary Gardner (knee).
The visitors can call upon the services of a host of their transfer window signings for the first time, with Moussa Sissoko, Massadio Haidara, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Yoan Gouffran all potential debutants.
Danny Simpson (toe) may be fit to return, but with the defensive ranks swelled by the return to fitness of Steven Taylor, and the arrival of several new players, he will not be rushed back into action.
Alan Pardew will have to do without Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring), Dan Gosling and Ryan Taylor (both knee) and Cheikh Tiote who is with Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup on Nations.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
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Aston Villa have won six and drawn three of the nine games in which Christian Benteke has scored in.
- The Belgian striker (pictured, right) has been involved in more aerial duels than any other player in the Premier League this season with 268 to his name so far.
- The West Midlands club have won just twice at Villa Park in the league this season, with maximum points taken from Swansea and Reading.
- Newcastle have 10 French players in their first team squad - just one less than their English contingent.
- The Magpies have not won away from home in the Premier League this season. They have five draws and six defeats from their 11 games.
- No goals have been either scored or conceded by Newcastle during the period of 10 to 40 minutes in any of their away Premier League games this season.
