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Team news: Gayle starts
Written by Rory Mitchinson
Dwight Gayle makes his first start in over a month as Newcastle United welcome Aston Villa to St. James’ Park.
The Magpies’ leading goalscorer returned to action as a substitute at Norwich City on Tuesday, having been absent since suffering a hamstring injury at Brentford on January 14.
And tonight, he leads the line as Newcastle look to move back to the summit of the Sky Bet Championship.
Gayle replaces Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is one of two players to drop to the bench following last week’s draw at Carrow Road.
Ayoze Perez is the other, with Mohamed Diame coming into the starting XI in the Spaniard's place.
With Isaac Hayden sidelined after undergoing ankle surgery, Moroccan Achraf Lazaar is named on the substitutes’ bench.
Newcastle United: Karl Darlow, DeAndre Yedlin, Ciaran Clark, Jamaal Lascelles, Paul Dummett, Jack Colback, Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Ritchie, Mohamed Diame, Yoan Gouffran, Dwight Gayle.
Substitutes: Rob Elliot, Jesus Gamez, Grant Hanley, Achraf Lazaar, Christian Atsu, Ayoze Perez, Aleksandar Mitrovic.