The Newcastle United head coach did not mince his words when asked about the Magpies' current situation

Newcastle United boss Matthias Jaissle insists that his Toon team are a much better side than their showing at Coventry City suggested on Monday night - and has challenged his stars to show it against Aston Villa.

But Jaissle has warned that his team are still very much in the transitional stage and it will take time before they can consistently push for a place in Europe. Where that sits in with Newcastle's club aim of being a top Premier League club by 2030 remains unclear at this stage with CEO David Hopkinson doubling down on that view at an event to reveal Newcastle's new crest earlier this month.

Speaking from a coaching point of view, as Jaissle deals with injuries and bedding in youngsters like Aladji Bamba, Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Sean Steur, the German head coach said: "One thing is for sure - we are still in transition.

"It is still a process, but that's nothing new for us; we were all aware of that, and you (the media) were aware of that when we met after being appointed in the summer.

"From the moment in pre-season in La Manga, to now, it takes time, and we have had some setbacks as well, especially the injured players."

Newcastle still have stars like Tino Livramento, Jacob Ramsey and Anthony Elanga all sidelined through injury, with the trio set to miss the game with Aston Villa at St James' Park. But Jaissle insisted it was not his job to conjure up excuses, and he can only go with the players he has available.

The former Red Bull Salzburg coach said: "The injury situation has heavily affected us. We don't complain about or make it an excuse, but it is reality.

"Now we are on the way to finding the next reaction like we did after Leeds to show the fans that we can do better."

Jaissle and his players were booed by some sections of the travelling support after the beating at Coventry with the head coach apologising after the game. Subsequently, it has made for a gloomy week on Tyneside, but attention now turns to Villa and taking on an Unai Emery side that thrashed Fenerbahce in the Champions League.

Jaissle said: "I try to be balanced, to not start flying. We started the season really well with a draw against Liverpool and a win against Tottenham and so on.

"We were then stable and we are also stable after defeat in Leeds or after defeat in Coventry.

"So this is, I think, so important to give the young group, the young lads also this security that we are working on the things we can influence, give them clear objectives, what they can improve in the next match and where we can, as a group and as an individual, also develop."

Newcastle responded well after losing 4-1 at Leeds and pulled off a 2-1 home win over in-form Hull. Jaissle feels that is the perfect blueprint for the game against Aston Villa and said: "I will mention exactly that to my players - they should have the same response.

"Of course, it's our goal and the lads know they need to show a reaction, we need to show a reaction as a team and I'm optimistic we can do that at home."

England star Dan Burn is expected to be on the bench against Villa while Joelinton is edging closer to a start after getting half an hour under his belt against the Sky Blues.

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