Newcastle United look set to be without Bruno Guimaraes for their huge FA Cup game with Aston Villa on Saturday.
Guimaraes, who had rarely ever missed a game through injury for Newcastle United until recently, was taken off during Newcastle’s win over Tottenham on Tuesday night.
The Brazilian has already missed four games due to an ankle injury and while he did return from that, he was taken off during the closing stages of the 2-1 victory in north London.
Guimaraes is arguably Newcastle’s most important player, and the idea of missing him for any great deal of time is a major concern given the relentless fixture schedule to come.
Howe provided an update during his pre-match press conference ahead of the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Newcastle United confirmed team news vs Aston Villa after Bruno Guimaraes blow
The Newcastle United manager put on a poker face during his discussion with local reporters.
His facial expression, as ever, didn’t give much away. When asked about the midfielder’s fitness, Howe said: “With Bruno, we are awaiting the full extent of his hamstring injury.”
Howe also confirmed that Newcastle were still assessing Lewis Miley’s leg injury, while he also admitted that Joelinton is unlikely to make the game.
Of Miley, Howe said: “With Lewi, we are waiting day-by-day, he’s got a dead leg – he got a bad knock to his thigh and I think there was a bit of muscle damage on the knock. He’s having scans on it every few days to see how that is. We don’t think it’s going to be long term – hopefully he will be back pretty quickly, so let’s wait and see on that one.”
When speaking about Joelinton, he added: “Joelinton’s doing really well. I don’t think he’ll make this game, but he’s not going to be too far away beyond this game.”
Newcastle United injuries ahead of Aston Villa game
The players listed above aren’t the only Newcastle stars set to miss Saturday’s clash at Villa Park, sadly.
Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento and Emil Krafth are also injured.
Schar isn’t expected to return until March or April after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury in January.
Livramento, however, could return in March. On Friday, Howe said: “Tino’s on track. I think early March was the diagnosis, the return to play [date], and at the moment he’s back on grass, he’s running, he’s building his fitness back up and we’re happy with how he’s doing.”
Newcastle United predicted XI vs Aston Villa
Changes are expected following the midweek game, both enforced and otherwise.
Guimaraes looks a major doubt, as does Miley. Aaron Ramsdale played in the last round of the FA Cup and looks set to replace Nick Pope again here.
It would not be a surprise to see the likes of Sandro Tonali, Lewis Hall, Jacob Murphy and Nick Woltemade start either after they were largely rested during the week.
- FA Cup
Aston VillaAston Villa
NewcastleNewcastle
Newcastle United predicted XI vs Aston Villa (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Ramsey, Willock; Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon
Injured: Livramento (knee), Schar (ankle), Joelinton (groin), Krafth (knee)
Doubts: Guimaraes (hamstring), Miley (leg)
Time and date: 5.45pm GMT on Saturday, 14 February, 2026
Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham
TV channel and live stream: BBC One, TNT Sports 3, BBC Sport website, BBC iPlayer, Discovery+ website and app
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Rules: No VAR, no replays. Game will be decided by extra-time and penalty shootout if necessary.