Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe conceded that his team were hurt by the absence of captain Bruno Guimaraes during their 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Howe watched on as goals in either half from Emiliano Buendia and Ollie Watkins sealed a huge win for Unai Emery's title-chasing team at St. James' Park. 

Indeed, the Magpies lost a home Premier League game for the first time since a 2-1 defeat to Mikel Arteta's Arsenal in late September 2025.

But Howe had to contend without skipper Guimaraes, who sustained an ankle injury during Newcastle's 3-0 win over PSV in the Champions League in midweek. 

The Brazilian had been involved in nine Premier League goals at home this season (seven goals, two assists), more than any other player within Newcastle's ranks. 

In addition, no player has scored more goals (eight), won more tackles (31) or created more chances (32) for Newcastle than Guimaraes in the top-flight this season.

Howe was also forced to replace Joelinton three minutes into the second half with an apparent groin injury, though the Newcastle boss was more concerned about his missing compatriot. 

"He felt his groin. We don't know how serious that is," Howe said of Joelinton's issue. "Going back to Bruno [Guimaraes], I think we missed his ability to pass forward.

"There was certainly an element of our game that got hurt by him not being here. He is possibly the focal point for a lot of our build play.

"We maybe suffered from not having him, but we have to be able to play without him as well and hope we don't have to do that for too long."

It was a result that saw Newcastle miss the chance to close the gap to the Premier League top four, but they did have their chances to take at least a point from the contest. 

However, despite generating chances worth 2.3 expected goals (xG) in total, Newcastle failed to find a way past Emiliano Martinez. It was their highest xG tally without scoring in a Premier League game since a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace in September 2022 (2.8).

And it is the start of a huge period for Howe's side, who face Paris Saint-Germain in their final league phase clash in the Champions League on Wednesday, with a positive outcome potentially seeing them automatically qualify for the last 16 of the competition. 

A trip to Anfield to face fellow top-four chasers Liverpool follows, and Howe did not understate the importance of this period for his players. 

"The first-minute chance really shapes the game. Sandro [Tonali] goes through, and it is a top save," Howe added. "Then Aston Villa were probably the better team in that first half and had a number of long shots and scored from one."

"There were some real positives. It was Sven Botman's best game since returning from injury, good cameos from Jacob Ramsey and Anthony Elanga, and Lewis Miley played really well again, but ultimately, you lose 2-0 at home, and we are disappointed.

"The big thing for us is that we need every available body and quality body available because, obviously, we lost Bruno [Guimaraes] before the game and then Joelinton. I think Bruno could be the only one back in contention for Wednesday.

"They are all pivotal weeks. It is a big period for us."