By Peter Donnelly
December 6 2002

Newcastle United travel to Villa Park today without the suspended Gary Speed and the injured Hugo Viana. The side must start to win away from home again and this a good chance to do just that. Aston Villa have starting to pick up the pace recently, beating West Ham 4-1 at home and then a 5-0 win in the Worthington Cup. An unusual amount of goals for Villa - so lets take it as a warning.

Aaron Hughes was missing for the recent Everton win because of flu, but is back now. And the word is, he'll replace Ollie Bernard at left-back. However, I must ask the question - why? Bernard was superb against Everton and is a really good left-back, so why drop him? Unfortunately, I think SBR is picking players on reputation instead of form and Hughes has a good one. The Frenchman should be well dissapointed if he's dropped, but lets just hope he isn't.

I also hear that Nikos Dabizas will come back into the side to partner Andy O'Brien. I wouldn't concur with that personally. For me, Hughes should move into the middle with Stevie Caldwell who done well vs Everton. I feel Vassell would run riot against OB and Dabz.

Gary Speed has been a key player so far this season and proved his doubters wrong. But he's suspended, which will probably let Jermaine Jenas have a start alongside Kieron Dyer. That midfield would posses quality but i'm worried at the lack of strength and physicality, which would make me strongly consider Clarence Acuna. He is a very good defensive midfielder and always gets stuck in. He and Dyer would definately work, i'm sure. But if JJ plays, good luck to the lad and lets hope he can get that elusive goal.

Expect Nobby Solano and Laurent Robert to keep their places on the wings.

Upfront gaol(s)hero Alan Shearer will partner Craig Bellamy once again.