United welcome Villa to St. James’ Park in what will be the first top flight fixture of the weekend, with the Magpies seeking three points which would put further distance between them and the bottom three.

And the match officials for the clash have now been confirmed, with Tierney appointed to keep order between the two sides under the lights.

Born on Christmas Day in 1980, the 40-year-old has been a Premier League referee since 2014, having progressed all the way to the top of the domestic game after rising through the lower league pyramid.

The Wigan-born official’s first taste of top flight action came at St. James’, when he was an assistant during the Magpies’ defeat to Hull City in the 2008.

Ten years later, he was promoted to FIFA’s list of referees, and has regularly overseen Newcastle matches in the years since.

Friday night’s game will be Tierney’s third appointment involving United this term, having previously refereed the 0-0 home draw with Liverpool and the 3-1 away defeat at Manchester United.

He has been in the middle for 20 games this season – 18 in the Premier League and one each in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup – and has shown a total of 72 yellow cards and three reds.

Ian Hussin and Dan Cook will assist Tierney on Friday, with Andy Madley acting as fourth official.

Jarred Gillett is the VAR for the visit of Villa, and he will be assisted by Timothy Wood.