Villa have just returned from a warm weather training break in Portugal. Paul Lambert can only trust it has done them more good than last month's trip to Abu Dhabi did Newcastle. Since returning, Alan Pardew's team have failed to score a goal while conceding 10 in their last three games. With only one win in nine matches and lacking a home victory since Boxing Day, Pardew is under pressure. "Newcastle's crowd can become edgy," said Lambert. "We've got to try to get their crowd against them." Louise Taylor
Kick-off Sunday 1.30pm
Venue St James' Park
Last season Newcastle 1 Aston Villa 1
Live Sky Sports 1
Referee M Atkinson
This season G17, Y52, R3, 3.4 cards per game
Odds H 11-10 A 5-2 D 9-4
Newcastle United
Subs from Elliot, Yanga-Mbiwa, S Taylor, Dummett, Ben Arfa, Shola Ameobi, Sammy Ameobi, Gosling, De Jong, Armstrong, Cissé, Marveaux
Doubtful Tioté (hamstring), Coloccini (knee)
Injured Obertan (knee, unknown), R Taylor (knee, season)
Suspended None
Form LLLDWL Discipline Y37 R4
Leading scorer Rémy 11
Aston Villa
Subs from Bennett, Clark, El Ahmadi, Helenius, Weimann, Luna, Sylla, Bowery, Tonev, Holt, Lowton, Herd
Doubtful Herd (hamstring, unknown)Injured Kozak (leg, unknown), Okore (knee, Mar), N'Zogbia (leg, unknown)
Suspended None
Form DLLWDL
Discipline Y53 R0
Leading scorer Benteke 7
