Barkley and Hemmings face late fitness tests for Newcastle

Ross Barkley and George Hemmings will be assessed before Aston Villa's Premier League trip to Newcastle United on Saturday (kick-off 5.30pm).

Barkley scored twice against Fenerbahçe in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday before leaving the pitch late on with a knock. Hemmings missed that match entirely as Villa ran out 6-0 winners at Villa Park.

"Ross, we'll see this afternoon how he's coming along after the match on Wednesday," Aston Villa manager Unai Emery said at his pre-match press conference on Friday. "He played 85 minutes and was with some pain. We'll check him this afternoon."

On Hemmings, Emery added: "George Hemmings is close to joining us, maybe joining us this afternoon, we'll see to decide for tomorrow."

Ian Maatsen and Matteo Ruggeri remain sidelined through injury, and long-term absentee Amadou Onana is also unavailable for the trip to St James' Park.

Both clubs head into the fixture level on eight points after seven Premier League games, with Newcastle sitting 11th and Villa 12th in the table.