Newcastle host Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon in what has been reported to be a must win game for Alan Pardew. The Magpies have struggled for form and fitness since the turn of the year and will hope to see off an Aston Villa side who have enjoyed greater success away from home this season. Match Preview Pardew's men are currently on a horrific run of form with the stats making grim reading for Newcastle fans. No goals in seven of their last eight Premier League games, four points from the last 24 available and a thumping 4-0 home defeat to Tottenham last time out. After a promising first half of the season, Newcastle fans could be forgiven for thinking their team was on course to replicate their fifth place finish of two seasons. However, it now seems like an age since Pardew discussed the possibility of a top four finish after his side snatched an away win at Man Utd back in November. The loss of Yohan Cabaye cannot be underestimated in the Newcastle team, through whom much of their good play came. The club's failure to replace the Frenchman before the end of January showed a lack of ambition and the team have not scored since his departure. Magpie fans will be cheered by the return of top goalscorer Loic Remy on Sunday, the striker having completed his three match suspension, and Pardew will be praying he can score the goals that will relieve some of the mounting pressure on him. Without Remy's contribution this season there is no doubt that Newcastle's current predicament could be a whole lot worse. Aston Villa historically have a poor record away to Newcastle but Lambert's team have picked up 17 of their 28 league points on the road this season. The stats would suggest that the Villains tend to relax when playing away from home, without the fear of making a costly mistake in front of their own fans. They have just returned from a warm weather training camp in Portugal and Villa fans will be hoping the time away will help star striker Christian Benteke rediscover the kind of form that made him one of the league's most prolific strikers in his debut season. The bruising Belgian has found the net in each of his last two league games against Newcastle and, like his opposite number, Lambert will be desperate for his strike force to step up to the plate and secure three points on Sunday. Team News Newcastle welcome back three key players for the clash. Remy returns from suspension, whilst Tiote and Coloccini both return from injury. De Jong and Remy are expected to start a Premier League game together for the first time. No fresh injury concerns for Villa. Andreas Weimann could be set for a return to the starting line up after a substitute appearance against Cardiff. Likely Line Ups Newcastle: Krul, Santon, Coloccini, Williamson, Debuchy, Sissoko, Tiote, Anita, Gouffran, De Jong, Remy Aston Villa: Guzan, Bacuna, Vlaar, Baker, Bertrand, Delph, Westwood, Albrighton, Bennett, Agbonlahor, Benteke Prediction Newcastle will look to get back amongst the goals with the return of Remy but Villa to grab a point, 1-1. Stats courtesy of BBC Sport
