Eddie Howe’s side missed Bruno Guimaraes in loss to Villa and face another possible injury setback with Joelinton forced off
Newcastle United are targeting Champions League qualification for the second successive season but much of their efforts have been hampered by injury crises.
The Magpies have repeatedly lost key players this season, with the latest being captain Bruno Guimaraes, who was unavailable with an ankle injury as Eddie Howe’s side lost 2-0 against title hopefuls Aston Villa at St James’ Park.
“I think we missed his ability to pass forward,” Howe said of the Brazilian. “There was certainly an element of our game that got hurt by him not being here. He is possibly the focal point for a lot of our build up play.
“We maybe suffered from not having him, but we have to be able to play without him as well and hope we don’t have to do that for too long.”
Newcastle did create a reasonable amount of chances even without the Brazilian, but Villa goalkeeper Martinez was in form to keep them out.
“The first-minute chance really shapes the game – Sandro [Tonali] goes through, and it is a top save,” Howe said. “Then Aston Villa were probably the better team in that first half and had a number of long shots and scored from one.”
But Howe’s side face another possible injury setback after midfielder Joelinton was forced off very early in the second half.
“He felt his groin,” Howe said. “We don’t know how serious that is.”
Defeat at home left Newcastle ninth in the table and four points off the top five. Still, the manager took “some real positives” from the game.
“It was Sven Botman’s best game since returning from injury, good cameos from Jacob Ramsey and Anthony Elanga, and Lewis Miley played really well again,” Howe said.
“But ultimately, you lose 2-0 at home, and we are disappointed. The big thing for us is that we need every available body and quality body available because, obviously, we lost Bruno before the game and then Joelinton.
“I think Bruno could be the only one back in contention for Wednesday.”
