Joelinton is expected to be available for Newcastle United, having completed a suspension and had stitches in and around his ear as a consequence of being accidentally trodden on during last week’s Carabao Cup win over Brentford.
Joe Willock has overcome the blow to the head that prompted his substitution against Ipswich.
Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey is back in full training after a six-week absence with a hamstring issue.
Defender Diego Carlos, who missed Saturday’s win over Manchester City because of a minor injury, will be assessed.
Head-to-head
Aston Villa could suffer a third straight Premier League defeat in this fixture, home and away, for the first time since February 2014.
Newcastle United
Alexander Isak has scored 23 Premier League goals in 2024, behind only Erling Haaland’s 26 and Cole Palmer’s 25. The only Newcastle players to score more than Isak in a calendar year are Alan Shearer, with 27 goals in 2002, and Andrew Cole, who netted 24 times in 1994.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa have suffered three straight Boxing Day defeats, conceding three goals each time. They’ve only once lost four times in a row on 26 December, between 1932 and 1935.
