Eddie Howe must resist temptation to make major tactical change vs Villa

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Eddie Howe once again has an attacking dilemma on his hands ahead of Newcastle United’s trip to Aston Villa.

Newcastle have two strikers that are on fire at the moment, with both Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson excelling in recent weeks.

It poses a problem for Howe, who has primarily played 4-3-3 since his appointed as Toon manager.

He now has two brilliant options competing for one position, and it is creating an interesting dynamic. Howe recalled Wilson to the starting XI against West Ham where he bagged a brace, but then dropped him to the bench for the game at Brentford.

That decision left Wilson ‘frustrated‘, and he came on with a point to prove at half time. He played a pivotal role in the comeback, setting up Isak for the winner.

But while Wilson has improved in recent weeks, Isak continues to score goals. He got one off the bench against West Ham, and scored the aforementioned winner at Brentford. He now has eight goals in a Toon shirt, two less than Wilson this season.

The form of Wilson and Isak will be giving Howe a selection headache ahead of Saturday’s game at Villa Park, but there is one thing he must not do.

Eddie Howe must not start Wilson and Isak together against Aston Villa

In the second half at Brentford, Howe played Isak and Wilson up front together. It worked brilliantly.

However, he must not do that from the off against Aston Villa. It is going to be a very difficult game against Unai Emery’s side, and it would be a huge risk to sacrifice a man in midfield away from home against strong opposition.

Alongside Newcastle, Villa are one of the Premier League’s form teams right now, so it would be an unnecessary risk for Howe to change his tactics. The 4-3-3 formation has been the foundation of our success under him, and it would be unwise to move away from it just because we have two in-form strikers.

If Howe is desperate to start both men, one option could be for Isak to play out wide. However, that would come as a surprise.

Now is not the time to be mixing things up, so when it comes to Wilson and Isak against Aston Villa, Howe must pick one or the other.

But who does he pick? The most likely outcome is Isak getting the nod. He is in red hot form as of late, boasting five goals in his last five games. He is really starting to make his mark in a Toon shirt, and should continue as Howe’s first choice striker at Villa Park.