The 2025/26 premier league season begins with an interesting match at Villa park, where the Aston villa host Newcastle United. Both teams enter the campaign with a lot of optimism, with Villa hoping to be in the mix to challenge the Champions League places following the appointment of Unai Emery, and Eddie Howe hoping to have a better start than the pre-season after an inconsistent set of results. A good run during the summer and home support give the Villans optimism and the Magpies have a disadvantage of not having key players in their attack.
Aston Villa
He is going into the opener in good spirits, and Unai Emery and his players have managed to deliver some good pre-season results, beating Roma 4-0 and villarreal 2-0. Ollie Watkins has been in scintillating form with five goals in that five matches and on his side is new signing Evann Guessand who is another dimension to the flyer. On the other hand, defensive records against Roma and Villarreal are positive indicators that Villa is also geared to frustrate even the best attacking teams in the league.
Pre-Season Results:
- Win: 2-0 vs Villarreal (A)
- Loss: 1-3 vs Marseille (A)
- Win: 4-0 vs Roma (H)
- Win: 3-2 vs Leamington (A, Villa XI)
- Loss: 0-1 vs Walsall (A)
Newcastle United
The men under Eddie Howe have had a patchy pre-season. A 4-0 defeat of Carlisle United offered the promise of attacking prowess but heavy defeat at the hands of Celtic (4-0) and Arsenal (3-2) revealed a questionable defensive ability. The signing of Anthony Elanga is worth £55m and removes some of the slow pace that ran through their front line but the loss of Alexander Isak (out) and Anthony Gordon (doubtful) may dent their forward unit. Bruno Guimaranes and Sandro Tonali will be mandated with dictating the midfield and making chances at Villa Park.
Pre-Season Results:
- Draw: 2-2 vs Espanyol (H)
- Loss: 0-1 vs K League XI (A)
- Loss: 2-3 vs Arsenal (A)
- Loss: 0-4 vs Celtic (A)
- Win: 4-0 vs Carlisle United (H)
Head-To-Head
The last encounters have been very competitive with each of the two teams having impressive victories. In April, Villa beaten Newcastle 4-1, whereas, the Magpies secured a 3-0 win over the month of December.
Last 5 Meetings:
- Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle United (19 Apr 2025)
- Newcastle United 3-0 Aston Villa (26 Dec 2024)
- Aston Villa 1-3 Newcastle United (30 Jan 2024)
- Newcastle United 5-1 Aston Villa (12 Aug 2023)
- Aston Villa 3-0 Newcastle United (15 Apr 2023)
Team News
Aston Villa:
- Out: Emiliano Martinez (suspended)
- Doubtful: Ross Barkley (knock), Morgan Rogers (ankle)
Newcastle United:
- Out: Alexander Isak (thigh), Joe Willock (ankle)
- Doubtful: Anthony Gordon (ankle), Sven Botman (knee).
Predicted XI
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1):
Bizot; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Tielemans, Kamara; McGinn, Guessand, Malen; Watkins
Newcastle United (4-3-3):
Pope; Trippier, Botman, Burn, Livramento; Tonali, Joelinton, Murphy; Elanga, Gordon, Barnes
Prediction
Due to this impressive pre-season form, and the injuries to key attackers in Newcastle it makes this opening match favour the home side, Aston Villa. Villa have a winning formula in a compact 4-2-3-1 and may bring the possession game against Watkins sharpness. Newcastle might be toiling in front without Isak.
Match Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Newcastle United
Betting Tip: Both Teams Not to Score (Odds: 2.42)
