Eddie Howe must weigh up several considerations before picking his NUFC XI for today’s game with Aston Villa
08:00, 25 Jan 2026Updated 09:30, 25 Jan 2026
Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes is a doubt for today’s game(Image: )
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe will leave a decision on Bruno Guimaraes’ participation in today’s game against Aston Villa until as late as possible, with the Brazilian recovering from an ankle injury.
The Magpies would love to have their skipper available this afternoon, but won’t take any risks, with some huge games on the horizon.
Howe could have some positive news at the back, with Dan Burn now very close to a return to the matchday squad after recovering from the broken ribs he suffered at Sunderland, but United are again without Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento and Emil Krafth.
Newcastle head to France to take on PSG in their final Champions League group stage match on Wednesday, and Howe must decide who leads the line today, and how his midfield shapes up.
With that in mind, here are the starting XIs our team of NUFC writers would pick today, and your chance to name your XI.
Lee Ryder
Don’t risk Bruno Guimaraes if he is not 100% fit in this game, that appears to be the message coming out of the training ground this weekend from Eddie Howe.
The Villa game is important but losing the skipper for clashes against the likes of PSG, Villa in the FA Cup and Man City in the Carabao Cup is just unthinkable. And when you have a star like Lewis Miley to come in as cover things can’t be bad.
The game may come too early for Dan Burn but Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman are starting a meaningful partnership and they are gelling well. Like Bruno though I’d keep Burn for the cup games on the horizon.
Despite Anthony Elanga coming back into some slightly better form, Harvey Barnes being benched would be harsh. He may have to do with a slot on the right but he is in the mood to add to his tally of 12 goals.
My NUFC XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Miley, Tonali, Joelinton, Gordon, Barnes, Wissa
Sean McCormick
With so many tough away games still to play in the Premier League this season, Newcastle have to make the most of their home games between now and the end of the season. Despite Villa’s strong start to the season, Newcastle have an excellent record against them at St James’ Park and they should name a strong team but while also not taking any risks with Wednesday’s huge Champions League game against PSG on the horizon.
With that in mind, I would name an unchanged goalkeeper and back four but make changes in the midfield and the forward areas.
Bruno Guimaraes is too important for Newcastle to take any unnecessary risks with his ankle injury so I would take him out of the midfield and I would also rest Joelinton, too, as Newcastle will need his combativeness in midfield on Wednesday. Lewis Miley has earned the right to start in his proper position while Jacob Ramsey will have a point to prove against his former team. I would play them either side of Sandro Tonali in the midfield three.
Anthony Elanga has looked much more confident in his last two appearances from the bench so it might be the time to hand him a chance from the start which would allow Harvey Barnes a rest and given Yoane Wissa started on Wednesday, Nick Woltemade may be handed a start on Sunday up front.
My NUFC XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Miley, Tonali, Ramsey; Elanga, Gordon; Woltemade
READ MORE: Newcastle United delivered £40m transfer truth ahead of Jacob Ramsey’s Aston Villa reunion
OPINION
Sean McCormickRoss Gregory
The midfield is where this game will be won or lost. Villa are without John McGinn and Boubacar Kamara but will still be strong in there. It would be too risky to play Bruno regardless of whether the player says his ankle is OK. Lewis Miley has to start alongside Sandro Tonali and Joelinton. Jacob Ramsey will be itching to face his old club but you can’t leave out big Joe at this point.
I worry about Kieran Trippier’s role – Ollie Watkins has exploited his lack of pace in that right channel recently so Malick Thiaw will need to be on his game. The big call I’d potentially make is thrusting Dan Burn straight back in if he’s fit, and give Sven Botman a breather. The Dutchman has had a heavy load after his return and needs protecting ahead of the PSG game.
My NUFC XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Burn (if fit), Hall; Miley, Tonali, Joelinton; Barnes, Wissa, Gordon.
Stuart Jamieson
While the Premier League must be Newcastle’s priority, there is no need to risk Bruno Guimaraes with some huge fixtures coming up. Newcastle are now more able to cope without the Brazilian and Lewis Miley can step into the side against Villa.
With Miley in midfield, the back four takes care of itself, but I would freshen things up elsewhere, handing Jacob Ramsey a start and giving Joelinton a well-earned rest.
Up front, Anthony Elanga could do with more minutes, so let’s see if the Swede can pick up from his positive cameo against PSV on Wednesday night.
My NUFC XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Miley, Tonali, Ramsey, Elanga, Gordon, Wissa
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