Rafa Benitez faces a dilemma on Monday night.

The experienced Spaniard needs to pick who starts between two top strikers: Dwight Gayle and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Newcastle United play host to struggling Aston Villa on Monday night in a Sky Bet Championship encounter.

Benitez will be eyeing up three more points in this fixture as he aims to remain at the summit of the Championship table.

The Magpies go into the game unbeaten in six, with four wins coming from those games.

In complete contrast, they face an Aston Villa side who are low on confidence having only picked up one point in 2017.

And Benitez faces a selection dilemma as he needs to pick one striker from Gayle and Mitrovic.

There are pros and cons to starting either forward and Benitez will be weighing up reasons for each player.

Here are 2 reasons for and against him selecting Gayle on Monday night.

CON: If it ain't broke, don't fix it

Newcastle have won four and drawn two of their last six league matches.

So why change a successful formula if it isn't necessary?

There are still concerns over whether Gayle is fully fit so there is no need to change Mitrovic for Monday's game.

PRO: Hot headed Mitrovic

Mitrovic has the ability to win you a game with a special performance but he is equally likely to do something stupid and get sent off.

Benitez axed the Serb at half time against Wolves after he was lucky to escape a second yellow for a reckless challenge.

Perhaps Mitrovic is better off as an impact substitute until he can sort out his temperament.

CON: Mitrovic in form

Aleksandar Mitrovic has been proving to be a handful for Championship defences over the past few games with his strength and hold-up play up top.

He also scored the winner against Wolves last weekend.

After some good displays, should Benitez stick with the 22-year-old up top?

PRO: Gayle scores more goals

You can frame the debate however you want it but the simple fact is that Dwight Gayle is more of a goal threat than Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Despite spending periods of time out injured, Gayle is still the Championship's leading goal scorer this season.

The former Crystal Palace forward already has 20 goals this season and it takes him less than 90 minutes to score each goal, compared to Mitrovic's 4 goals in 17 league matches this term.

Newcastle fans - what do you make of these reasons? Who would you choose? Let us know in the comments below...