Newcastle Utd are back to league business tonight as they travel to the midlands to take on Unai Emery’s surprise package Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Newcastle ran out 5:1 winner’s on the opening day of the season but since that hot summers day on Tyneside the fortunes of both teams have headed in different directions, with Emery’s team showing little ill effect from that opening day drumming as the league campaign developed.
The manner of their wins against Manchester City and Arsenal in December showed that Emery has knitted together a team that must be viewed as more than simply the surprise package of the season and they will go into this fixture with revenge for that August defeat very much in mind.
Heading into this evening's clash, Howe said: "It seems a long time ago. I think we were at our best from an attacking sense that day. We grew in confidence as the game went on and we scored some great goals. The squad looked healthy, and we had options - it was a difficult team to pick. I think that showed what we're capable of."
Fast forward six months and the situation, although not critical is nonetheless not where Howe wants to be.
Yes, his team go into this gamne on the back of a fine away win in the cup against premier league opposition, its full points on the road that Howe needs to start collecting after a barren spell that stretches back to the demolition of Sheffield Utd back in mid-September.
On the injury and illness front both Lascelles and Almiron are both doubts having been unavailable for the trip to Fulham.
Kieran Trippier will be assessed although early reports indicate that he should be ok to start, having been withdrawn late on at Craven Cottage with a groin problem.
Joelinton is definitely out having undergone an operation that will side-line him until at least the end of April. And while Joe Willock and Harvey Barnes are making progress, neither are yet ready to return while Matt Targett continues to recover from surgery and will therefore not be facing his old club. Elliott Anderson remains unavailable, but Callum Wilson could make the squad.
Villa meanwhile come into the game without five first team players. Pau Torres, Lucas Digne and Jhon Duran, Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia are all unavailable, while Jacob Ramsey may not be risked as he recovers from his recent hamstring problem.
Tonight’s Referee is John Brooks. His Assistants running the line are Lee Betts and Akil Howson while the fourth official is Michael Salisbury. The VAR hut will be manned by Andy Madley. In the Assistant VAR deckchair is Harry Lennard.
Newcastle ran out 5:1 winner’s on the opening day of the season but since that hot summers day on Tyneside the fortunes of both teams have headed in different directions, with Emery’s team showing little ill effect from that opening day drumming as the league campaign developed.
The manner of their wins against Manchester City and Arsenal in December showed that Emery has knitted together a team that must be viewed as more than simply the surprise package of the season and they will go into this fixture with revenge for that August defeat very much in mind.
Heading into this evening's clash, Howe said: "It seems a long time ago. I think we were at our best from an attacking sense that day. We grew in confidence as the game went on and we scored some great goals. The squad looked healthy, and we had options - it was a difficult team to pick. I think that showed what we're capable of."
Fast forward six months and the situation, although not critical is nonetheless not where Howe wants to be.
Yes, his team go into this gamne on the back of a fine away win in the cup against premier league opposition, its full points on the road that Howe needs to start collecting after a barren spell that stretches back to the demolition of Sheffield Utd back in mid-September.
On the injury and illness front both Lascelles and Almiron are both doubts having been unavailable for the trip to Fulham.
Kieran Trippier will be assessed although early reports indicate that he should be ok to start, having been withdrawn late on at Craven Cottage with a groin problem.
Joelinton is definitely out having undergone an operation that will side-line him until at least the end of April. And while Joe Willock and Harvey Barnes are making progress, neither are yet ready to return while Matt Targett continues to recover from surgery and will therefore not be facing his old club. Elliott Anderson remains unavailable, but Callum Wilson could make the squad.
Villa meanwhile come into the game without five first team players. Pau Torres, Lucas Digne and Jhon Duran, Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia are all unavailable, while Jacob Ramsey may not be risked as he recovers from his recent hamstring problem.
Tonight’s Referee is John Brooks. His Assistants running the line are Lee Betts and Akil Howson while the fourth official is Michael Salisbury. The VAR hut will be manned by Andy Madley. In the Assistant VAR deckchair is Harry Lennard.
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