How Newcastle performed in pre-season and what Aston Villa should expect
Aston Villa welcome Newcastle United to Villa Park on Saturday as Unai Emery’s men begin their Premier League campaign.
After narrowly missing out on Champions League football on goal difference to the Magpies last season, Villa have an opportunity to make a big statement on the opening day.
Newcastle will likely be a direct rival to Emery’s side yet again in the upcoming season, with the two clubs establishing themselves in the upper echelons of the Premier League in recent years.
With the Villans ending their pre-season preparations with a 2-0 win against Villarreal, Villa News analyse Newcastle’s pre-season preparations and what Aston Villa can expect on the opening day.
Newcastle are winless in pre-season
Whilst Villa supporters have had their worries off the pitch over the summer, with the likes of Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins both linked with moves away, their pre-season results have been solid.
- The Villans recorded an impressive 4-0 win over Roma earlier in pre-season
The same can not be said for Newcastle, however, as they failed to win a single game as they prepare for the upcoming campaign.
- Out of Newcastle’s six pre-season games, they lost four and drew the other two
Whilst you can never read too much into these results, confidence within the camp at Newcastle cannot be expected to be at an all-time high.
Frustrating summer transfer window
Much like Villa, Newcastle have had a frustrating time in the transfer market.
Eddie Howe’s side were previously linked with a move for Watkins, but this now appears to be unlikely as Newcastle have registered their interest in Samu Aghehowa.
Both clubs have been hampered by PSR as they attempt to break through and continue to establish themselves as part of the new ‘top six’ in the Premier League.
Whilst some Villa fans may be disappointed that moves for the likes of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio never materialised, the whole footballing world has had a good laugh as Newcastle have seemingly been rejected by every player on the planet over the summer.
With Aaron Ramsdale and Anthony Elanga being Newcastle’s only notable arrivals so far, Villa fans can expect a largely unchanged Newcastle side from the one they battled for so long last season.
Villa could be playing Newcastle at perfect time
As well as having home advantage on the opening day, with the game being played at Villa Park, Emery’s side will be directly benefiting from the ongoing Alexander Isak transfer saga.
The Geordies have made their feelings clear when it comes to their star striker throwing his toys out of the pram as he attempts to get his move to Liverpool.
Given the uncertainty regarding the Swedish international’s future, it is likely that he is either not a Newcastle player by the time the game rolls round or Isak could potentially refuse to travel with the squad and play.
Even if by some miracle Isak does start, his head will be anywhere but focused on the game against Villa, as every touch of his will likely be booed by the travelling Newcastle supporters.
With this toxic atmosphere, it could be the perfect time for Emery and Co. to come up against Newcastle and to secure a massive three points to start the season.
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