Preview: Newcastle United vs. Aston Villa

Tim Sherwood will be hoping to take advantage of a fragile Newcastle United side and pick up his first points as Aston Villa manager on Saturday afternoon.

The former Tottenham Hotspur head coach's first official game in charge ended in defeat as Stoke City overturned Scott Sinclair's opener to win 2-1 at Villa Park.

The manner of the loss would have been as painful as the result for Sherwood as captain Ron Vlaar was sent off in the process of conceding a stoppage-time penalty which Victor Moses converted for the visitors.

The 46-year-old was typically honest in his post-match assessment, admitting that his job with Villa is going to be a "work in progress" - not ideal when the Premier League ever-presents sit 19th in the table.

Quickly renewing confidence in a team that has lost six top-flight games on the bounce and is winless in 11 is perhaps Sherwood's biggest task, but at least Villa's opponents this weekend will be feeling equally low.

Newcastle were flattened 5-0 by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium last Saturday, self-destructing from minute one as Vurnon Anita's mistake gifted the champions the penalty which started the emphatic rout.

The result marked John Carver's first defeat since being confirmed as interim manager until the end of the season, and the Geordie local has demanded an instant response from his team against Villa at St James' Park.

Anita may pay for his error with his place in midfield, but Carver's freedom to make sweeping changes is restricted by a lengthy absentee list which includes Cheick Tiote, Siem de Jong, Paul Dummett and the suspended Jack Colback.

Daryl Janmaat is expected to shake off a niggle sustained against City to continue at right-back, and Remy Cabella could also be included in the squad after making progress in his recovery from an ankle ligament concern.

A central-midfield shortage may mean that Moussa Sissoko is asked to protect the back four alongside Mehdi Abeid, with Sammy Ameobi or Gabriel Obertan possible beneficiaries as a slot on the wing becomes open.

Sherwood is not one to panic and could stick with the same side, other than two enforced changes at the back, with Vlaar now suspended and Kieran Richardson a major doubt having been forced off in the Potters defeat.

Philippe Senderos and Nathan Baker are also unavailable in defence, but Jores Okore and Aly Cissokho were both regulars under former boss Paul Lambert and should be competent deputies on Tyneside.

Facing the centre-half partnership of Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson, who have leaked four goals or more four times when paired together this season, could be the opportunity that Christian Benteke needs to rediscover his form.

Sinclair and Carles Gil are likely to be tasked with providing the Belgian striker with the service to add to his disappointing three-goal haul this campaign. Ashley Westwood and Tom Cleverley will have to make do with the bench again.

When both were under different management, the two clubs played out a 0-0 draw at Villa Park in August.

Newcastle:

Form in Premier League: LLWDDL Form in all competitions: LLWDDL

Possible starting lineup: Krul; Janmaat, Coloccini, Williamson, Haidara; Abeid, Sissoko; Gouffran, Perez, Ameobi; Cisse

Villa:

Form in Premier League: LLLLLL Form in all competitions: WLLLWL

Possible starting lineup: Guzan; Hutton, Okore, Clark, Cissokho; Sinclair, Sanchez, Delph, Gil; Agbonlahor, Benteke

Sports Mole says: 1-2