Toon Team Selection Hit Badly!
Skipper Michael Owen (groin) will undergo a late fitness test and Obafemi Martins is being nursed through his own long-standing groin problem, although Alan Smith (thigh) is fit.
Central defender Sebastien Bassong is suspended after losing an appeal against his red card against Fulham last weekend, and he joins the banned Joey Barton on the sidelines.
NEWCASTLE (from): Harper, Forster, Krul, Enrique, Coloccini, S. Taylor, Edgar, Cacapa, Butt, Duff, R. Taylor, Gutierrez, Nolan, Guthrie, Lovenkrands, Geremi, Smith, Martins, Owen, Viduka, Xisco, Ranger.
Aston Villa are confident PFA Young Player of the Year Ashley Young will be able to feature.
The former Watford winger limped out of the second half of last weekend's 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough with a calf strain but has made good progress in his recovery.
Young's namesake, right-back Luke, is rated very doubtful with the foot problem which has dogged him in recent weeks.
Former Newcastle player James Milner may again deputise at right-back as Villa look for the victory which could see them finish fifth in the final table.
ASTON VILLA (from): Friedel, Guzan, L Young, Milner, Reo-Coker, Gardner, Davies, Cuellar, Knight, Shorey, Petrov, Barry, Sidwell, Salifou, Clark, A Young, Heskey, Agbonlahor, Carew, Delfouneso.