Aston Villa Predicted Lineup vs Newcastle on December 26

Last Word On Football provides our Aston Villa predicted lineup for their Boxing Day match vs Newcastle United on December 26 from St. James’ Park.

Aston Villa Predicted Lineup vs Newcastle United As Midlands Side Look To Cause Top Four Stir

How Aston Villa Have Lined-up Recently

Unai Emery has stayed true to his trusted 4-2-3-1, which has served him so well this season, and last weekend against Manchester City was no different. Emery made just one change for the Etihad clash, as Amadou Onana came in for Diego Carlos. Emi Martinez was in goal, and his back four consisted of Matty Cash, Pau Torres, Ezri Konsa, and Lucas Digne.

Boubacar Kamara and Onana played as holding midfielders, meaning Youri Tielemans was pushed forward to the attacking midfield role. He was flanked by Morgan Rogers and John McGinn, in support of one of Villa’s most important men in recent games, Jhon Duran.

Aston Villa Recent Form and Tactics

Villa enters their Boxing Day showdown with Newcastle having heaped further misery on Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, beating the Sky Blues 2-1 last weekend in one of the more comfortable victories Emery’s side have had this season. Villa took their chances when required as goals from Duran and Rogers helped them secure the points. Phil Foden pulled one back with virtually the last kick of the game, but City’s loss meant they fell to their 6th defeat of the campaign and their 3rd in the last five.

The win for Villa sent them 6th, three points off 4th while City dropped to 7th. The 12-point gap to Liverpool at the top looks like an extremely tough margin to overcome.

Aston Villa Injuries to Consider

Midfielder Jacob Ramsey is back in training following a lengthy layoff from a hamstring injury. Defender Carlos missed the win over City due to a minor impact injury he suffered in training, but Emery believes he will be available for selection on Thursday.