Howe hopes to have key Newcastle players back in bid to end losing run

The Paraguay international, who has started 18 league games this season, has not played for two weeks due to illness.

However, central defender Jamaal Lascelles may miss the game due to a calf injury, Howe told reporters on Monday.

"We hope Miggy (Almiron) will be with us. Jamaal, I’m not so sure about. It's not a serious injury but I think it might be enough to keep him out of this game, it will be close," Howe said.

Newcastle have been without a number of regulars through injury in a run of six defeats over their last seven league games but Howe hopes some will return in the coming weeks.

"Harvey (Barnes) is getting closer. He's probably the closest, along with Callum (Wilson).

"Then you go a little bit further back to Joe (Willock) and a bit further again to Elliot (Anderson)," Howe said.

Newcastle thrashed Villa 5-1 at St James' Park in August but have been unable to maintain any momentum and are in 10th place with 29 points, while Villa are fourth, 14 points above them.

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