Newcastle have defensive problems
Newcastle United are in Premier League action on Monday night away at Aston Villa.
Three wins in their last five matches have lifted Newcastle up to 13th in the table with 15 points from 12 games.
Much of Newcastle’s success has been defensively; they have three clean sheets in the league.
However, for the trip to Villa Park, manager Steve Bruce has headaches at the back.
Ciaran Clark is a major doubt after the Irish international picked up a thigh strain during the break. Bruce said, “Ciaran is our biggest worry”.
SB on injuries: “Where we’ve got one or two back fit we’ve maybe lost one or two with the internationals but that’s how it is. Ciaran Clark is our biggest worry. After coming on for Ireland he’s got a knock so we’ll see how he is.” #NUFC pic.twitter.com/ZJqGgMnV2r
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 21, 2019
Jamaal Lascelles is a long-term absentee with a knee injury, while the Magpies have doubts over Florian Lejeune and Fabian Schar.
SB on returning players: “Lejeune & Schär have trained all the past two weeks so they come into the reckoning. The big one is Flo because he’s been out so long but he’s ready to go and the same goes for Fab. As long as they come through the next two or three days unscathed.” pic.twitter.com/Uu0xcmwClM
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 21, 2019
If that wasn’t enough, Matt Ritchie is a major doubt for Aston Villa as well after a “setback”.
And finally, midfielder Sean Longstaff is suspended.
SB on Matt Ritchie: “It’s still ongoing. He went to see his specialist again yesterday. It’s a difficult one because he was so close a couple of weeks ago and unfortunately had a setback. It’s difficult and frustrating for him.” #NUFC pic.twitter.com/pa3XdIiS92
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 21, 2019
Steve Bruce’s warning to Aston Villa
How will the Aston Villa crowd react when Steve Bruce returns on Monday night?
Bruce laid out the following warning to Aston Villa in his Thursday presser:
I had the privilege to manage it, it was a great club, but you’re always disappointed the way it ends – I thought I would have demanded a bit more time, but that wasn’t the case after a difficult period where the club, financially, was in a difficult place.
We nearly got there – we lost in the play-off final – but overall I can look back and say I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It’s a big club with a big tradition and a big history. But I want to go back and beat them – it’s as simple as that.
The team that got up was the team that we practically put together. I was delighted for the players that I brought to the club. As I said, we nearly got there the year before, and Dean (Smith) took them that little extra (distance). And then of course the new owners came in, and it was a different ball game.
I think they spent more than anybody this summer. Fair play to the new owners that walked through the door – without them, I think Aston Villa would be in a real, real dark place. It’s been an interesting and unbelievable 12 months.
SB on Almirón: “He’s got two in three in internationals. I thought he was sensational against Bournemouth. I’ve never seen anybody in 20 years cover the distance & play with the intensity he does. It’ll come because he’s a multi-talented player. If he scores once it’ll open up.” pic.twitter.com/6UbYyPaWkv
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 21, 2019
Also see: Brighton vs Leicester City betting tips: Premier League match preview and predictions.
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