Steve Bruce leaves Fabian Schar on the bench as Jonjo Shelvey takes the armband
and live on Freeview channel 276
Bruce’s side take on Aston Villa tonight in a televised game (8pm kick-off). Newcastle are 14th in the Premier League after back-to-back wins – and three points above 17th-placed Villa.
Bruce is without injured United captain Jamaal Lascelles, who is sidelined until the New Year with a knee injury. Paul Dummett replaces Lascelles in the starting XI, while Jonjo Shelvey will wear the captain’s armband at Villa Park. Ciaran Clark has been passed fit to face his old club.
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Hide AdThis is Bruce’s first return to Villa Park since he was sacked as manager of the club in October last year. Bruce was succeeded by Dean Smith, who guided the club to promotion via the play-offs last season.
NEWCASTLE UNITED: Dubravka; Yedlin, Fernandez, Dummett, Clark, Willems; Almiron, Shelvey, Hayden, Saint-Maximin; Joelinton. Subs: Darlow, Schar, Carroll, Gayle, Krafth, Atsu, M Longstaff.