Aston Villa team news: Surprise omission as Unai Emery makes four changes
Villa are playing their third of nine matches in 29 days.
Captain John McGinn is a surprise absentee from Villa’s starting XI in Saturday’s Premier League clash with Newcastle.
The Scotland international is only the bench at St James’s Park as Unai Emery’s team hunt just their second league win of the season.
McGinn is one of four players to come out of the line-up from Wednesday’s 6-0 win over Fenerbahce.
Ross Barkley, Ibrahim Mbaye and Pau Torres are also on the bench, with Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendia, Joao Gomes and Alysson coming into the side.
The latter has been handed a first Premier League start in place of McGinn on the right of midfield.
Teenage striker Brian Madjo features in a Villa squad for the first time since August’s European Super Cup final, though Alejandro Garnacho and Tammy Abraham are both missing from the matchday squad.
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