Newcastle recall Joelinton as Villa rotate for St James' Park test
Newcastle turned to Joelinton for their Premier League meeting with Aston Villa at St James' Park on 17 October 2026. Kick-off was set for 5:30pm BST. The home side arrived needing a response after a 4-1 defeat at Coventry on the Monday before.
Joelinton replaced Jacob Murphy in Newcastle's only change from that loss. It was his first start under head coach Matthias Jaissle after a pre-season hamstring injury, as reported by The Guardian. Newcastle lined up in a 4-2-3-1 — four defenders, two deeper midfielders and three attackers behind one striker — with Hornicek in goal; Miley, Thiaw, Botman and Hall; Gonzalez and Willock; Joelinton, Wissa and Barnes in support of Fernandez-Pardo.
Aston Villa matched that shape with Suzuki in goal; Cash, Lindelof, Mings and Wan-Bissaka; Kamara and Joao Gomes; Alysson, Buendia and Manzambi behind Jackson. Emery made four changes from his previous selection. Joao Gomes, Buendia, Mings and Alysson came in for Ross Barkley, John McGinn, Pau Torres and Ibrahim Mbaye.
Barkley had scored twice against Fenerbahce in the week before the trip north but started among the substitutes. Emery said he rotates when players are ready for his demands and that he needs them at 100%, not 80%, pointing to tiredness and pain in a packed schedule. Jaissle had called for his side to show a reaction as a team at home with the crowd behind them.
The benches were strong on both sides. Newcastle named Pope, Schar, Bamba, Osula, Steur, Toure, Murphy, Burn and Dedic. Villa named Harwood-Bellis, Barkley, McGinn, Pau Torres, Mbaye, Bogarde, Goretzka, Madjo and Bizot. Jarred Gillett was the referee. The 5:30pm kick-off was scheduled for broadcast on Sky Sports, according to the Premier League.
Newcastle also used the fixture to back the Premier League's No Room For Racism campaign at St James' Park, according to Newcastle United. Recent meetings gave Villa the edge. They won 4-1 at Villa Park on 19 April 2025, then drew 0-0 at home to Newcastle on 16 August 2025 despite having defender Ezri Konsa sent off, as reported by Reuters.
What makes this stand out is the contrast in needs. Newcastle wanted noise and energy after Coventry. Villa wanted fresh legs to keep their rhythm going. For fans, this means a fast start could lift the whole ground.
