Graeme Souness is facing another injury crisis as he attempts to save his job. The Scot was without Michael Owen, Kieron Dyer, Emre, Celestine Babayaro, Steven Taylor, Stephen Carr and Charles N'Zogbia for the visit of Aston Villa.
Yet again he will be forced to use the full depth of his squad with Emre and N'Zogbia already ruled out and Babayaro completing a three-match suspension. Owen's chances of playing hang in the balance, while hopes of Taylor, Carr and Dyer have just about died.
Owen has missed the last four games with a groin injury, during which time Newcastle have only scored a penalty, which shows how much Souness places his Newcastle future in the hands of the England international. Owen is back in the squad for the Arsenal fixture, but the manager will decide prior to the match if he will start.