Aston Villa v Newcastle United injury news - as four players ruled out and five doubts for Premier League game

Aston Villa have a fresh injury concern ahead of their clash with Newcastle United on Saturday, whereas The Magpies have been handed a surprise boost. Opening the next round of Premier League fixtures with a 12.30pm kick off, entertainment is expected from two of the most in-form teams in the entire division.

Leon Bailey is a doubt ahead of the clash as he became the latest Villa player to face the treatment table when he was substituted in the 28th minute during the 2-0 home win against Nottingham Forest. Unai Emery confirmed after the game it was the Jamaican’s hamstring causing concern but the head coach was unable to reveal a return date.

Boubacar Kamara made a speedy return to action from an ankle injury when he started the 2-0 win at Chelsea, but Emery quickly realised he wasn’t as fit as first thought. The midfielder has since missed the last two matches - the victories against Leicester City and Forest - but he could make a return this weekend.

Two other players may be back from injury on Saturday too, as Philippe Coutinho and Matty Cash are facing late fitness tests. Last week, Emery admitted the pair were still injured but said he hoped they would both return in “more or less 10 days”. It is unlikely, but they could be on the bench. Meanwhile, Jed Steer (Achilles) remains ruled out.

Doubts: Bailey, Kamara, Cash, Coutinho. Ruled out: Steer.

Newcastle United team news

The Magpies are in sensational form with five successive Premier League wins and they could yet face more joy as Miguel Almiron, who was originally expected back at the end of the month, could make a surprise early return. The Paraguayan midfielder was spotted in training on Wednesday, putting him in real contention.

The same cannot be said for fellow attacking-minded player Allan Saint-Maximin, however, as the Frenchman picked up a hamstring issue in the 5-1 win at West Ham United. Eddie Howe said on April 8: “I don’t think it’s serious. He didn’t feel 100 per cent, so we decided to scan him, and it revealed a minor problem. So, maybe a couple of weeks.”

Newcastle will also have to make do without winger Ryan Fraser and defender Emil Krafth. Fraser has been isolated to train with the Under-21s after Howe accused the Scotsman of not focusing on the club, whereas Krafth is still recovering from a nasty anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered back in August.

Doubts: Almiron. Ruled out: Saint-Maximin, Fraser, Krafth.