Aston Villa make four changes for Newcastle trip

Aston Villa have made four changes to their starting XI for Saturday’s trip to Newcastle, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Ibrahim Mbaye, Pau Torres and Ross Barkley coming into the side. Nicolas Jackson leads the attack as Villa line up in a 4-2-3-1 at St James’ Park.

Emiliano Buendía, João Gomes, Matteo Ruggeri and Tyrone Mings drop out of the team that faced Brentford. Villa’s starting XI is Zion Suzuki in goal; Matty Cash, Victor Lindelöf, Torres and Wan-Bissaka in defence; Boubacar Kamara and Barkley in midfield; John McGinn, Johan Manzambi and Mbaye behind Jackson.

The four changes come with Villa three points behind their hosts in the Premier League table. Newcastle are 11th on eight points after six matches, with two wins, two draws and two defeats. Villa sit 16th with five points, having won once, drawn twice and lost three times.

Newcastle also use a 4-2-3-1. Their confirmed side includes Sven Botman, Yoane Wissa, Harvey Barnes and Matías Fernández-Pardo. The hosts will be looking to make home advantage count, while Villa’s new selections give them a changed starting group as they try to close the gap.

Kick-off is at 17:30 BST on Saturday, 17 October. Villa’s four alterations are the headline team-news development ahead of a meeting between two sides separated by three points after six league games.