Aston Villa vs Newcastle: FA Cup Fourth Round Preview — Kick-off 12:45pm ET

Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round clash between Aston Villa and Newcastle United promises a fiercely contested tie at Villa Park, with a 12: 45pm ET kick-off on February 14. Both clubs enter the match juggling injury lists and competing priorities in the Premier League, making selection and strategy key for managers aiming to progress in the cup.

Team news: who’s missing and who could step up

Aston Villa are short of options at several positions. Right-back Matty Cash is expected to miss the next two matches with a knee issue and will not feature in this tie, leaving Lamare Bogarde to deputise. Midfield absences further complicate selection, with John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans unavailable, while Andres Garcia remains sidelined with a hamstring problem. New signings and academy prospects may be handed opportunities as Unai Emery manages workload amid league commitments.

Newcastle travel with their own list of concerns. Bruno Guimarães faces a lengthy spell out with a hamstring injury that will remove a key midfield influence for several matches. Joelinton, Tino Livramento, Fabian Schär and Emil Krafth are also sidelined, and a dead leg for Lewis Miley means he is unlikely to be risked here. Nonetheless, Eddie Howe has hinted at the possibility of fielding a strong side after a morale-boosting league victory on the road, with some fringe players ready to stake a claim.

Tactical outlook: how both managers might approach the game

Villa are likely to balance cup ambition with a clear league focus: Champions League qualification remains the priority. Expect Emery to rotate carefully rather than wholesale, blending experienced starters with younger or less-used options to preserve core players for the Premier League run-in. Defensive cover at full-back and midfield creativity will be immediate tactical puzzles.

Newcastle have typically favoured a flexible setup, transitioning quickly from solid defensive block to high-energy attacking phases. With Bruno out, the midfield will need reconfiguration to maintain control and link play to the forwards. Howe may see the FA Cup as an opportunity to inject momentum into his squad without jeopardizing league targets, but the positive recent away result suggests he will not treat this as a throwaway fixture.

What’s at stake for both clubs

For Villa, the tie offers silverware potential and a welcome distraction from the grind of the title race — albeit not at the very top. Progressing in the FA Cup would bolster squad confidence and provide further competitive minutes for fringe players. However, Emery’s priority remains securing Champions League football through Premier League placement, so cup selection will reflect that calculus.

Newcastle see the FA Cup as one of the clearest routes to tangible success this season. A trophy would cap a period of progress and relieve some pressure that has built during inconsistent league form. With recent cup runs curtailed in other competitions, this tournament presents a realistic chance to add to the club’s honours and galvanize the squad.

Form and recent context

A midweek rebound for Villa helped steady the ship, but injuries have curtailed rotation options. Newcastle’s away victory last time out snapped a poor run and eased scrutiny around the dugout, offering momentum heading into this fixture. Historically the fixture has produced memorable encounters between the two sides, and recent meetings in the competition have often proved significant for the winners’ cup progress.

Key players to watch

Watch Villa’s creative midfield alternatives and any new-signing minutes as they attempt to fill the gaps left by absentees. For Newcastle, the midfield rebuild in Bruno’s absence is central — whoever steps into that role must provide tempo and defensive stability. Both sides rely on swift transitions and set-piece efficiency, which could decide a tight cup tie where marginal gains matter.

This tie at Villa Park looks set to be competitive and tactical, with managers weighing short-term cup ambition against longer-term league objectives. Expect intensity, selective rotation and a match that could hinge on small moments and squad depth.