SUMMER signing Demba Ba has been recalled to Newcastle United's starting line-up at Aston Villa today in the battle to preserve unbeaten starts to the Premier League season.
The Magpies' manager Alan Pardew has left out Shola Ameobi following his lacklustre showing in Monday's goalless draw at Queens Park Rangers.
Ba is searching for his first goal in a Newcastle shirt since his switch from West Ham United and he will play alongside Leon Best, who is the only striker to have scored for the club this season.
If either of them are to score today then they will have to find a way through former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given, who faces is old club for the first time since leaving in 2009.
ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): Given; Hutton, Dunne, Collins, Warnock; Bannan, Petrov, Delph, N'Zogbia; Agbonlahor, Bent. Subs: Guzan (gk), Ireland, Albrighton, Delfouenso, Herd, Lowry, Gardner.
NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-4-2): Krul; Simpson, S Taylor, Coloccini, R Taylor; Obertan, Tiote, Cabaye, Gutierrez; Ba, Best. Subs: Elliot (gk), Guthrie, Lovenkrands, Perch, Marveaux, Shola Ameobi, Sammy Ameobi.
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