Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish is pondering a change of formation and personnel as the club look to pick up their second Barclays Premier League win of the season at home to Newcastle today.

Villa will be without Emile Heskey for up to three weeks after he picked up a hamstring strain in last weekend's 2-2 draw at Everton, meaning McLeish may alter his 4-2-3-1 system in which the former England man played just off lone striker Darren Bent with Charles N'Zogbia and Gabriel Agbonlahor out wide.

Asked if he may tinker with his formation, McLeish said: "Possibly. We have options with the players that can come in.

"There's some players really champing at the bit to get into the team.

"When you have injuries or suspensions it's an opportunity for another player and any player who comes in has to grab that opportunity."

He continued: "Barry Bannan is looking for a start. There are a few looking for a start.

"Marc Albrighton has been really bright in training. He came back after his holidays having had an extra week off and I think he felt he was doing a little bit of catch-up on the other players. He needed that rest and I think that will tell in the second half of the season and Marc will be much stronger for that."

Villa won their opening home game of the season 3-1 against Blackburn last month and McLeish is hoping his players will establish Villa Park as a fortress.

"I expect us to win more games than not here at Villa Park," he said.

"We know how precious three points are in this Barclays Premier League and we'll be going all out for the three points against Newcastle United.

"We want to start picking up victories. That's the challenge to myself and the players and they're capable of doing that."