Newcastle United take on Aston Villa on Saturday, who are set to be without multiple first-team players due to injury.
While the only major casualty from the Newcastle squad is Allan Saint-Maximin, it looks like Aston Villa are going to be missing as many as four players.
That is according to manager Unai Emery, who has provided a fitness update ahead of the game at Villa Park.
Aston Villa have injury concerns ahead of Newcastle game
Emery has spoke to the media ahead of the game against Newcastle, and admitted that four of his senior players are going to be unavailable.
As reported by the Athletic’s Gregg Evans, Villa will be without Leon Bailey, Matty Cash, Boubacar Kamara and Philippe Coutinho.
In his words, Villa will be ‘stretched to the limit‘ when the Magpies arrive for this weekend’s early kickoff.
While Emery endures a mini injury crisis, Howe has options galore. He has Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson competing to play up front, while there is hope that Miguel Almiron will be available after recovering from a thigh injury earlier than anticipated.
Villa missing key players
It looks like Villa are going to be without some key players. Kamara is an important player in the middle, capable of protecting the defence and progressing possession up the pitch.
Newcastle know all about how good he is, having previously tried to sign him. The Magpies actually made an offer for him when Steve Bruce was manager back in the summer of 2021, but the Frenchman turned down a move to St James’ Park.
Bailey and Cash are also regular starters for Villa, but will miss the game against Newcastle. The latter has missed the previous three games with a calf injury, with Ashley Young taking his place at right-back.
The veteran looks set to continue in that role against Newcastle, which makes it such a shame that Saint-Maximin is unavailable. His skill and tricky could have caused the 37-year-old real problems.
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