Newcastle United are looking to return to the top of the Sky Bet Championship table this evening, as they face a struggling Aston Villa side at St James’ Park.

Rafa Benitez’s side were overtaken by Brighton and Hove Albion at the top of the table over the weekend, after the Seagulls recorded a 2-0 victory over Barnsley.

The Magpies are in good form having picked up eight points from their last four league fixtures, including a spirited 2-2 draw against Norwich City in their last league outing.

Benitez will be without Isaac Hayden, who has had an operation on his ankle and is likely to be out of action for four weeks, but might introduce Dwight Gayle into his starting line-up.

Gayle, Newcastle’s top-scorer this season, suffered an injury in last month’s victory over Brentford, but returned from the bench in Tuesday's draw with Norwich.

With Huddersfield Town hot on their heels, Newcastle head into tonight’s game, looking to increase their hold on an automatic promotion place.

Here is how Newcastle fans are reacting ahead of tonight’s game on Twitter…