Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew will be able to call upon the Senegalese front duo of Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse for the visit of Aston Villa following their return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

The pair, who have scored 59 league goals between them since the start of last season, will be hoping for improved performances on their dismal form at the Cup of Nations where Senegal, one of the pre-tournament favourites, lost all three group matches to Zambia, Libya and co-hosts Equatorial Guinea.

Pardew will be unable to select Yohan Cabaye, who is still suspended, so Ryan Taylor is likely to continue in midfield.

For the visitors, Gabriel Agbonlahor is a major doubt because of back and hamstring spasms, while Marc Albrighton remains sidelined.

Robbie Keane and Darren Bent are likely to lead the line for a Villa side who are unbeaten in their last five away league matches, winning the last two.

Current Form:

Newcastle: WLWWLW
Villa: DWLDWD

Possible lineups:

Newcastle: Krul; Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Santon; Ben Arfa, Guthrie, R.Taylor, Gutierrez, Cisse, Ba

Villa: Given; Hutton, Cuellar, Dunne, Warnock; Ireland, Petrov, Clark, N'Zogbia; Keane, Bent

Sports Mole says: 2-2