Newcastle boss Alan Pardew admits the sale of Demba Ba was a blow to the Magpies. However, Pardew believes the signings of Frenchmen Mathieu Debuchy, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Yoan Gouffran, Massadio Haidara and Moussa Sissoko have lifted spirits on Tyneside.
"It's a kind of restart for us because we are so much stronger in terms of depth and quality within the group," said Pardew, who revealed Sissoko will make his debut against Aston Villa.
"We have got Yohan (Cabaye) coming back, and he's like a new player; Debuchy has come into the building and settled quickly, (Sylvain) Marveaux is playing well, and then the new boys on top of that.
"The loss of Demba, I think, really impacted on us. You only have to look at the goals scored and you would have to say it has.
"We have had to react to that and hopefully, we have reacted in the right way."
