---
title: "Aston Villa Predicted XI: Newcastle United (H)"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2021/01/23/aston-villa-predicted-xi-newcastle-home/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2021-01-23T10:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-01-23T10:00:00Z"
---

# Aston Villa Predicted XI: Newcastle United (H)

[Aston Villa](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/01/23/aston-villa-morning-news-round-up-23rd-january-2021/) host Newcastle United at Villa Park tonight and could be without Matt Targett and [John McGinn](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/01/21/dean-smith-fumes-over-pathetic-john-mcginn-yellow-card-suspended/), potentially forcing Dean Smith into making two changes from the side which [lost 2-0 to Manchester City](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/january/Manchester-City-2-0-Aston-Villa/) on Wednesday.

**Emiliano Martinez** started in midweek and [was in fine form](https://www.sofascore.com/aston-villa-manchester-city/rP) despite being on the losing team, so he should keep his place between the sticks against Newcastle. Despite **Tyrone Mings’** [error](https://www.skysports.com/football/man-city-vs-a-villa/428841) in Wednesday’s defeat, he should start alongside **Ezri Konsa** at centre-back. Kortney Hause is [injured](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-man-city-trezeguet-19668547) so [Bjorn Engels](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/01/02/engels-has-uncertain-future-at-villa/) may stay on the bench.

**Matty Cash** played a full 90 minutes against City without issue and is expected to get the nod at right-back on Saturday evening. **Targett** went off injured against City, but [Birmingham Live](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-targett-hause-newcastle-19681762) claimed that he’s only suffering from fatigue, so he should still be fine to keep his place at left-back.

With McGinn [suspended](https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php), **Marvelous Nakamba** is the [only ball-winning midfielder](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/24/Show/England-Aston-Villa) available to Smith. He could start alongside **Douglas Luiz** in midfield to protect the backline. **Ross Barkley** is likely to get the nod in a central attacking midfield role again.

**Jack Grealish** and **Bertrand Traore** should start on opposing flanks [like they did against City](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3420829), meaning Anwar El Ghazi and [Trezeguet](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/01/21/dean-smith-explains-why-trezeguet-missed-man-city-clash/) would be named on the bench. **Ollie Watkins** will likely lead the line as Smith [doesn’t have any fit alternative](https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php) up front. The 25-year-old hope to end his [nine-game](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ollie-watkins/leistungsdaten/spieler/324358) goal drought.

All in all, just the [one change from Wednesday](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3420829) as Nakamba fills the void left by McGinn’s suspension.

***Predicted XI vs Newcastle:*** *Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, Nakamba; Traore, Barkley, Grealish; Watkins*