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Aston Villa v Newcastle: Team News
Written by Newcastle Utd
Rafa Benitez has named his starting XI for Newcastle's Sky Bet Championship game against Aston Villa
By Dan King - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Ciaran Clark will start for the Magpies on his return to Villa Park this afternoon (kick-off 5.30pm).
The Republic of Ireland international, who joined Newcastle from Villa in the summer, will partner captain Jamaal Lascelles in the heart of the United defence.
With Vurnon Anita serving the second game of his three-match ban, DeAndre Yedlin will make his first league start for the Club while Paul Dummett is at left-back. Matz Sels is in goal.
Isaac Hayden and Jonjo Shelvey are the Magpies' central midfield pair with Yoan Gouffran and Matt Ritchie out wide. Mohamed Diame will offer support for support front man Dwight Gayle.
On the bench, Karl Darlow is joined by Grant Hanley, Achraf Lazaar, Christian Atsu, Ayoze Perez, Aleksandar Mitrovic, while Cheick Tiote is also named among the substitutes.
Aston Villa (3-5-2): Pierluigi Gollini, Leandro Bacuna, James Chester, Tommy Elphick, Nathan Baker, Jordan Amavi; Mile Jedinak, Ashley Westwood, Albert Adomah; Jonathan Kodjia, Andre Ayew
Substitutes: Mark Bunn, Micah Richards, Aly Cissokho, Alan Hutton, Aaron Tshibola, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, Rudy Gestede
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Matz Sels; DeAndre Yedlin, Jamaal Lascelles (c), Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett; Isaac Hayden, Jonjo Shelvey; Matt Ritchie, Mohamed Diame, Yoan Gouffran; Dwight Gayle
Substitutes: Karl Darlow, Grant Hanley, Achraf Lazaar, Cheick Tiote, Christian Atsu, Ayoze Perez, Aleksandar Mitrovic