The story of the day as Dwight Gayle gets off the mark but Newcastle United drop points to Aston Villa
We’ll have the latest team news from both camps in the build-up to the game plus the views from both managers, with takeover talk continuing to dominate the agenda on Tyneside – will there be a breakthrough soon?
Miles Starforth is at the game for us this evening.




Newcastle United v Aston Villa: Early team news from both camps
GOOD DAY/BAD DAY - Liam Kennedy's winners & losers from NUFC's 1-1 draw
GOOD DAY
This was another decent day for Joelinton. The striker was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet again for United in a physical display. Dwight Gayle getting his first goal of the season, and another assist for Andy Carroll were also positives. Finally, ASM looks like stealing the show at every turn. A class act.
BAD DAY
Federico Fernandez had his worst game in a long time while Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden were overrun in the middle. Miguel Almiron was very, very quiet.


MILES STARFORTH: 'Not a bad point all told'
"That's probably a decent point all things considered. Newcastle looked tired this evening. They were nowhere near their best and didn't create nearly enough, yet they still came very close to beating a Villa team which is fighting for survival. Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final is now the focus."