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Stuart Jamieson

Two strikers but no Shelvey - the Newcastle United XI fans want to see vs Villa tonight

How do you solve a goalscoring problem when three of your most attacking players are on the treatment table?

How about by playing the strikers that you do have?

That's the solution to Newcastle's big goals problem fans have chosen for tonight's must-win Premier League clash with Aston Villa at St James' Park.

The Magpies go into the game with Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin all ruled out.

And while Aston Villa will be without their talisman in Jack Grealish, that doesn't help solve the problem of who is going to fire Newcastle to victory tonight.

United drew a blank at second-bottom West Brom last weekend, in a game when their only real chance to score was spurned by Joelinton.

And fans have picked a very different starting XI this evening.

Supporters want to see the 4-3-3 formation abandoned for a more traditional 4-4-2 - with Dwight Gayle and Andy Carroll both starting up front.

Ryan Fraser and Matty Ritchie provide the service from the flanks, with Isaac Hayden and Joe Willock in the centre of midfield.

It means there is no place for either Jonjo Shelvey or Joelinton.

At the back, Javier Manquillo gets the nod over Emil Krafth, while Paul Dummett keeps his place ahead of Jamal Lewis.

How close will this be to Steve Bruce's XI? We'll find out at 7pm tonight when the teamsheets are revealed.

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