Eddie Howe update given as Newcastle United make Aston Villa decision

Villa face Newcastle in a massive Premier League clash at Villa Park on Saturday as the two clubs battle to qualify for the Champions League

Newcastle United are feeling no ill effects of being without manager Eddie Howe as the Magpies' head coach continues to focus solely on his recovery from pneumonia.

The former Bournemouth gaffer sent a congratulatory text to his colleagues after Newcastle's 5-0 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening but has otherwise left all first-team matters to Magpies' assistant Jason Tindall and his trusted backroom staff on Tyneside. The midweek thrashing of the Eagles follows an impressive 4-1 drubbing of Manchester United over the weekend for the stand-in coaches.

Tindall and the team at Newcastle will lead the club into a tricky fixture with Aston Villa on Saturday evening as Howe focuses on his health. Asked about his close friend on Wednesday, the No.2 responded: "There's no real update, other than what everybody knows.

"We know he's [Howe] in the best possible hands, and the most important thing at this moment in time is that he rests and he recovers. The more he rests and recovers, the quicker he will be able to get back to lead the team. That's the only focus at the minute, and I'm sure as and when he's ready, he will be in contact and we will speak."

The trip to Villa Park will be the first away game for Newcastle since Howe's absence.

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