Bruno Guimaraes update & 'new signings' boost - Newcastle United leaked 20-man squad to face Aston Villa
Newcastle United v Aston Villa team news: The Newcastle players have arrived at St James’ Park for Sunday’s Premier League clash.
Newcastle United are looking to continue their unbeaten start to 2026 in the Premier League as they host third-placed Aston Villa at St James’ Park this afternoon.
The Magpies were held to a 0-0 draw last time out in the Premier League at Wolverhampton Wanderers but haven’t lost at home in the top flight since a late defeat to Arsenal back in September.
But Eddie Howe’s side will have to do something they haven’t done in the past four years and win a Premier League game without Bruno Guimaraes involved.
The 10 league games the Brazilian hasn’t featured in since his debut in 2022, Newcastle have failed to win them all.
And after the Newcastle captain’s ankle injury picked up in the 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night in the Champions League, he is not involved for the Villa game.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Howe provided a small update on Guimaraes’ fitness.
“Yeah, I think with Bruno, we hope it's not serious,” Howe said. “The extent of the injury is still unknown, but he was reasonably positive after the game.
“Speaking to him again, he's the guy that will never rule anything out, so we're going to give him every chance for this weekend. Let's wait and see.”
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NUFC ‘new signings’ return
But Newcastle are boosted by the double injury return of Dan Burn and William Osula after six weeks and 12 weeks out, respectively.
The duo were out for so long that Howe described their returns as being like ‘new signings’ during the January transfer window.
“Certainly they will feel like new signings for us,” Howe told The Gazette. “Especially Dan because there's a real positional need there and that's not slight on Will Osula at all, we're delighted to have him back in training. He's going to be a big player for us.
“But Dan's return with being so light in that position is a huge lift. If we can keep him fit and feeling good, he will be like a new signing.
“But yeah, there's still time [to make signings] and it's still relatively unknown. In terms of what direction we will take.”
Newcastle United confirmed squad to face Aston Villa
Newcastle United’s confirmed line-up to face Aston Villa is as follows...
Starting XI: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Tonali, Miley, Joelinton; Barnes, Gordon, Wissa
Subs: Ramsdale, Osula, Elanga, Woltemade, Willock, Burn, A.Murphy, Ramsey, Shahar