Former England striker Emile Heskey has been released by Aston Villa after three and a half years with the midlands club.
On Google+
On Twitter
Top writers
Places
Politics
E-break Time
Injury news: Aston Villa: Emile Heskey is out for two to three weeks with a pulled hamstring and Jermaine Jenas looks set to miss out after injuring his thigh in training, Eric Lichaj is set to miss the next three to four months following a hip operation. Carlos Cuellar is recovering well from a knee operation but lacks match fitness. Newcastle: Hatem Ben Arfa is back in training after his ankle injury but is unlikely to be risked while Haris Vuckic (broken hand), Mehdi Abeid and Mike Williamson (broken arm) are all ruled out.
Match odds: Home win 1.91, draw 3.50, away win 4.00
* Based on Fantasy Premier League, the official Premier League fantasy game" title="ASTON VILLA v NEWCASTLE, Saturday 15:00pm
Blackburn are without a win in their first four games and host Arsenal as they look to climb off the bottom of the table. Around 1,000 Blackburn supporters are expected to take part in a demonstration before the game demanding the sacking of manager Steve Kean following their poor start to the season. Arsenal must be looking for a good result as they try and cling on to top four aspirations following their humiliation in Manchester.
Recent results: Aston Villa 1 - 0 Newcastle (10/04/2011, PL), Newcastle 6 - 0 Aston Villa (22/08/2010, PL)
One to watch: Shay Given plays against Newcastle for the first time since his departure from the club that he played over 350 games for. Aston Villa fans will hope to see a performance from him to match the many outstanding games he had for the Magpies.
Did you know?: Aston Villa have not lost at home to Newcastle since the 11 February 2006. The deciding goal for Newcastle was scored then by summer Aston Villa signing Charles N'Zogbia.
Fantasy pick: Gabriel Agbonlahor, 20 (Aston Villa), Ryan Taylor, 26 (Newcastle)*
Tweet of the week: "Anyone think David Luiz resembles Sideshow Bob from the Simpsons?" @Sammy_Ameobi, Sammy Ameobi, Newcastle
Injury news: Aston Villa: Emile Heskey is out for two to three weeks with a pulled hamstring and Jermaine Jenas looks set to miss out after injuring his thigh in training, Eric Lichaj is set to miss the next three to four months following a hip operation. Carlos Cuellar is recovering well from a knee operation but lacks match fitness. Newcastle: Hatem Ben Arfa is back in training after his ankle injury but is unlikely to be risked while Haris Vuckic (broken hand), Mehdi Abeid and Mike Williamson (broken arm) are all ruled out.
Match odds: Home win 1.91, draw 3.50, away win 4.00
* Based on Fantasy Premier League, the official Premier League fantasy game" width="80" height="61" onclick="location.href='http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/stephen-warnock-praises-shay-given-for-leaving-manchester-city-7242816.html';" class="" />
Stephen Warnock praises Shay Given for leaving Manchester City
Tuesday 21 February 2012
Stephen Warnock has hailed the impact of Aston Villa keeper Shay Given and believes he has justified his decision to quit Manchester City after being frozen out by Robero Mancini.
'Dancing' Redknapp on his feet to applaud as Bale holds court at Lane
Wednesday 01 February 2012
Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Bale 29, 64, Modric 34) Wigan Athletic 1 (McArthur 81)
Mark Schwarzer signs contract extension at Fulham
Wednesday 18 January 2012
Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has signed a contract extension with Fulham until at least the summer of 2013, the club have confirmed.
Redknapp: 'You can't win every game but we can still take title'
Sunday 01 January 2012
Swansea City 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1: Manager defiant after his side surrender lead as Swansea turn up heat in last quarter
Aston Villa in contract talks with Brad Guzan
Friday 09 December 2011
Aston Villa are holding talks with keeper Brad Guzan over a new contract as he prepares to make his first Barclays Premier League appearance of the season at Bolton tomorrow.
Tottenham keeper Brad Friedel delighted with ugly win over Fulham
Monday 07 November 2011
Brad Friedel insists Tottenham's 3-1 victory over Fulham proves they have the steel to win ugly when required.
Harry Redknapp urges Luka Modric to focus on Tottenham
Thursday 01 September 2011
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp hopes Luka Modric will soon be back to his best after managing to hold on to the playmaker despite strong interest from Chelsea this summer.
Given delighted to mark first league start in over a year with assured display
Monday 15 August 2011
Fulham 0 Aston Villa 0
Aston Villa recruit Shay Given not concerned by age
Wednesday 20 July 2011
Shay Given and his new manager Alex McLeish agree age is no barrier to the goalkeeper enjoying success at Aston Villa.
Shay Given will show quality at Aston Villa says Alex McLeish
Tuesday 19 July 2011
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has backed Shay Given to "prove his point" after ending a frustrating spell on the Manchester City sidelines with a move to the midlands.
McLeish chasing £10m N'Zogbia
Saturday 16 July 2011
Aston Villa have stepped up their interest in Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia with a £10m bid. Manager Alex McLeish rates the France winger his top target to replace the Liverpool-bound Stewart Downing.
Aston Villa make £10m bid for Charles N'Zogbia
Friday 15 July 2011
Aston Villa have stepped up their interest in Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia by submitting a £10m bid, Press Association Sport understands.
Michael Dawson backs Daniel Levy over Luka Modric stance
Thursday 14 July 2011
Michael Dawson has backed Daniel Levy's tough stance over the Luka Modric transfer saga and insists that the Tottenham players are not angry at the Croatian for declaring that he wants to join Chelsea.
Alex McLeish demands right attitude from Liverpool target Stewart Downing
Wednesday 13 July 2011
Alex McLeish expects Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing to maintain the right attitude and professionalism if his hopes of a move to Liverpool fail to materialise.
Experience the Heineken Hub
Get free wi-fi and exclusive i content while you enjoy a tasty pint of Heineken at participating pubs.
Can you imagine a career in teaching?
Be inspired to teach - let real teachers show you how rewarding the job can be.
A home to be proud of with Halifax
Download the Halifax's brilliant, free new Home Finder app, and take all the pain out of finding your dream home
Playing a game-changing role during the Games
Cisco is providing the solutions for London 2012's complex IT needs.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
