Ba returns for Magpies

Newcastle striker Demba Ba returned to the starting line-up for this afternoon’s Barclays Premier League clash with Aston Villa.

The 15-goal frontman went straight back into the team after his sabbatical at the African Nations Cup, although international team-mate and new signing Papiss Demba Cisse had to make do with a place on the bench as Ba and James Perch replaced Shola Ameobi and Hatem Ben Arfa.