Newcastle need a response against Villa as Touré targets return to group

Newcastle United’s first task against Aston Villa is to respond to Monday’s 4-1 defeat at Coventry City. Bazoumana Touré could offer a boost: manager Matthias Jaissle hopes the winger will be able to rejoin the group on Saturday, while Joelinton may be ready for more game time.

Jaissle said Touré had been “progressing well in the last few days”. The winger has made one Premier League appearance this season, with no goals or assists. His return to group training would be a step forward, though the manager has not confirmed he will play.

Joelinton is further along in his recovery than Dan Burn, Jaissle said. “Joe has had more training compared to Dan,” he added, suggesting Joelinton’s next step could be more minutes. Burn has trained only a couple of times, and Jaissle said a start would most likely come too soon.

Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey are not expected back for this match. Jaissle said both are hoping to begin partial training next week: Elanga after several weeks out, and Ramsey also aiming to join in partially. Tino Livramento will be brought back cautiously, step by step over the next few weeks.

Villa arrive at St James’ Park after beating Fenerbahce 6-0 in the Champions League, their first home victory. Their league position is less convincing: they are 16th with five points from six matches, having won once, drawn twice and lost three times. Amadou Onana, Boubacar Kamara, Ian Maatsen and Matteo Ruggeri are out. George Hemmings, Modou Keba Cisse, Ross Barkley and I. Mbaye are listed as doubtful.

Newcastle are 11th. Villa have won only twice in their last six meetings with Newcastle, and lost the most recent, an FA Cup tie at home last season. The teams meet at St James’ Park on Saturday, October 17, at 5.30pm BST. In the UK, the match is on Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Ultra HD and Sky Go, with streaming also available on NOW. For Newcastle, the immediate measure is whether they can turn the Coventry defeat into a stronger performance against a Villa side fresh from a major European win.