Villa target fourth straight away win at Newcastle

Aston Villa travel to St James' Park on Saturday evening looking to extend a four-match unbeaten run across all competitions, with kick-off scheduled for 5.30pm.

The visitors arrive in strong form on the road, having won their last three away matches against Tottenham Hotspur, Coventry City and Club Brugge. Wednesday's 6-0 demolition of Fenerbahçe in the UEFA Champions League added further momentum ahead of the trip north.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have struggled for consistency after an unbeaten start to the campaign. The Magpies have lost two of their last three matches, including a 4-1 Premier League defeat at Coventry on Monday.

Villa hold the upper hand in recent league meetings, remaining unbeaten in their last three Premier League fixtures against Newcastle. Last season's corresponding fixture ended 2-0 to Villa, with goals from Emi Buendía and Ollie Watkins.

The two sides did meet in the FA Cup in February, when Newcastle triumphed 3-1 at Villa Park. Sandro Tonali scored twice as the Magpies overturned a deficit against ten-man Villa to advance to the fifth round.

Manager Unai Emery will check on the fitness of Ross Barkley and George Hemmings before the match. Barkley scored twice against Fenerbahçe in midweek before limping off late, while Hemmings missed that game entirely. Ian Maatsen, Matteo Ruggeri and Amadou Onana remain sidelined.

Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle is hopeful Bazoumana Touré will be available. Anthony Elanga, Tino Livramento and Jacob Ramsey are all ruled out through injury.