Overview
Aston Villa have a chance to "accurate" when opening the Premier League campaign at home, hosting Newcastle United.
Last season, coach Eddie Howe's team beat Villa to win fifth place thanks to a better goal difference. This is also the last place to participate in the UEFA Champions League.
That achievement is still outstanding despite Newcastle losing 2 consecutive Premier League matches with the same score of 0-1 against Arsenal and Everton.
The last time the "Magpies" lost more than 2 consecutive matches in the tournament was from December to January of the 2023-2024 season (4 matches). Meanwhile, their longest previous failed run came in January 2021 (3 games).
Newcastle added Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest, Malick Thiaw from AC Milan and borrowed goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. However, the focus belongs to Alexander Isak.
Amid Liverpool's interest, Howe admitted that "everything is being affected" and the Swedish striker is likely to be absent due to internal discipline.
This is a big loss as Isak has scored 11 goals in his last 13 away matches in the Premier League. Since the first match of this streak on October 27, only Mohamed Salah (13 goals) has been better than him in away goalscoring.
Newcastle have also failed to win in their last five Premier League games without Isak (3 draws, 2 losses) and have failed to score in their last three games without him.
If Isak is absent, Anthony Gordon could be promoted to a centre-forward - a role that is not his forte. Meanwhile, William Osula (22 years old) has only played 906 minutes in the Premier League so far.
Gordon tried this out in the friendly against Atletico Madrid last weekend, but had to leave the pitch with an ankle injury. However, Howe reassured: "At first, we were concerned about muscle injuries, but it seemed to be a small problem in the ankle. He's okay."
Despite Isak's story, Newcastle are still aiming to extend their impressive record. They have won their opening Premier League games in all three of their last three seasons - more than they did in the previous 14 combined (W2 D4 L8).
However, the challenge at Villa Park is huge. Unai Emery's side are unbeaten in 21 consecutive home games in all competitions (W15 D6) and have won all eight of their last eight. This is their longest streak since 24 unbeaten matches from September 1976 to May 1977.
Villa is also quite quiet in the transfer market, adding only defender Yasin Ozcan (Kasimpasa), striker Evann Guessand ( Ni Nice) and goalkeeper Marco Bizot (Brest).
Bizot is likely to debut as Emiliano Martinez is suspended after his red card in the controversial loss to Manchester United, where Morgan Rogers' goal was disallowed for fouling Altay Bayindir.
Rogers may also be absent due to ankle throbbing. This is a significant loss as he has been the number one setter in the Premier League since April this year until the end of the 2024-2025 season (6 assists).
Ollie Watkins - Villa's number one scorer in the Premier League era - will lead the attack. He has a special fate against Newcastle with 5 goals in the last 4 home matches in the Premier League, although he has never scored in the opening round after 4 appearances.
Head-to-head record
Newcastle suffered a heavy 1-4 defeat in their most recent away trip to Villa Park in April. Fabian Schar equalized after Watkins opened the scoring. However, goals from Ian Maatsen, Amadou Onana and an own goal by Dan Burn helped Villa win big.
That defeat extended the Magpies' poor run of results at Villa Park, where they have lost five of their last six Premier League games. Their only win was a 3-1 win in January 2024, with Schar scoring twice.
However, Villa have not beaten Newcastle twice in a row in the Premier League since 2004-2005. This is also the second time in the last three seasons that the two teams have faced each other in the opening round, after Newcastle crushed Villa 5-1 in St. Petersburg. James' Park to start the 2023-2024 campaign.
The match between Aston Villa and Newcastle takes place at 6:30 p.m. on August 16 (Vietnam time).
