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Newcastle vs Aston Villa team news: Jonas Gutierrez could make St James' Park return as Jack Colback dropped after Brit Awards picture

Colback was seen looking worse for wear after the Brit Awards ceremony while Villa make four changes

Jack de Menezes
Saturday 28 February 2015 15:19 GMT
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Jonas Gutierrez last played for Newcastle in October 2013
Jonas Gutierrez last played for Newcastle in October 2013

Newcastle manager John Carver makes four changes to the starting line-up that lost 5-0 to Manchester City in an embarrassing performance last weekend, but it is the inclusion of a substitute that will trigger the biggest talking point.

Argentinian midfielder Jonas Gutierrez is in line to make his first appearance for Newcastle since October 2013 after beating testicular cancer in what could be an emotional return should he come off the bench.

Gabriel Obertan, Mehdi Abeid, Sammy Ameobi and Emmanuel Riviere are all given starts as Carver looks to unlock the full potential of his attack, with Vurnon Anita Yoan Gouffran and Ayoze Perez dropping to the bench. Jack Colback misses out through suspenion after earning his tenth yellow card last weekend, having been pictured looking slightly worse for wear at the Brit Awards ceremony during the week.

Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood will hope to get his first victory since taking the reins after last weekend’s late defeat to Stoke. Sherwood makes four changes to his starting line-up, with captain Ron Vlaar missing through suspension after being sent-off against Stoke.

Matt Lowton comes into the defence, while Tom Cleverley and Ashley Westwood return at the expense of Kieran Richardson and Carles Gil. Jores Okore also starts, with Carlos Sanchez dropping to the bench.

Line-ups:

Newcastle: Krul; Janmaat, Coloccini (c), Williamson, Haïdara; Obertan, Sissoko, Abeid, Ameobi; Rivière, Cissé.

Subs: Woodman, R.Taylor, Anita, Gouffran, Gutierrez, Armstrong, Perez.

Aston Villa: Guzan, Hutton, Okore, Clark, Lowton, Sinclair, Delph, Cleverley, Westwood, Agbonlahor, Benteke.

Subs: Given, Bacuna, Weimann, Sanchez, Gil, N’Zogbia, Grealish.

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