Aiming to continue their ascent of the Premier League standings, Newcastle United will welcome fellow European contenders Aston Villa to St James' Park on Boxing Day.

Following a successful trip to Ipswich, the Magpies are unlikely to make many changes - particularly with a stubbornly long injury list limiting Eddie Howe's options.

While Joelinton will be available after serving a suspension, the facial injury he sustained in last week's EFL Cup win over Brentford still makes him a major doubt, while several other players have already been ruled out of contention.

First-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope joins Callum Wilson and defensive trio Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth on the sidelines once again.

In Wilson's absence, Alexander Isak - Newcastle's hat-trick hero against Ipswich Town - should lead an attack also starring Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy, the latter of whom has racked up six direct goal involvements in his last three games.

Martin Dubravka deputises in goal, behind a back four featuring Fabian Schar and Dan Burn at its heart, with Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento out wide.

If Joe Willock shakes off a knock picked up last weekend, he will be favourite over Sean Longstaff to join Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali in the hosts' engine room.

Newcastle United possible starting lineup: Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Gordon

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