NEWCASTLE (Sporting Alert) — Leading striker Demba Ba returns to the starting line-up as Newcastle United made two changes to their side for today’s Barclays Premier League game against the visiting Aston Villa.
The Senegal international who missed the last five matches while on duty for his country in the African Cup of Nations – replaces Shola Ameobi with Alan Pardew hoping he can add the 15 goals he’s scored so far this season.
Ba will partner Leon Best in the Newcastle frontline., while new signing Papiss Demba Cisse starts on the bench.
Also coming into the starting team is James Perch, who replaced Hatem Ben Arfa in midfield. He will play alongside Danny Guthrie, Ryan Taylor and Jonas Gutierrez.
The game will see Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given returning to one of his former clubs and although admitting that it will be a special return after spending 12 years at Newcastle, he’s now with Villa and has a job to do.
“I have never played there since leaving – this is the first time,” said Given. “It will feel a bit strange I suppose. But it will be great to go back there and play.
“I was there a number of years and I made a lot of appearances there so I should know my way round St James’s Park!
“It was a special time of my career and I enjoyed every moment.
“I have great memories – beating Barcelona in the Champions League, things like that.
“But you move on in your life and your career and it’s about Aston Villa now and we are going up there to try and get three points and that’s the name of the game.
“You have to be professional. It’s nice to go there and play but the big thing for me is doing a job for Aston Villa.”
On form striker Darren Bent and Robbie Keane will be hoping continue their good partnership in the attacking line.
Newcastle vs Aston Villa
Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Ryan Taylor, Guthrie, Perch, Gutierrez, Ba, Best
Subs: Elliot, Cisse, Ben Arfa, Gosling, Shola Ameobi, Obertan, Ferguson
Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Cuellar, Dunne, Warnock, Ireland, Petrov, Clark, N’Zogbia, Keane, Bent
Subs: Guzan, Heskey, Bannan, Weimann, Lichaj, Baker, Gardner
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
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Tagged with: african cup of nations, aston villa, Demba, hatem ben arfa, Newcastle United, premier league live, robbie keane, striker, Villa
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