Aston Villa vs Newcastle preview: Team news, lineups, prediction
Aston Villa kick off their Premier League campaign when they take on Newcastle United at Villa Park on Saturday.
Unai Emery's men get an opportunity to immediately get revenge on the side that cost them their place in the Champions League on goal difference last season.
Whilst Newcastle's pre-season preparations have been far from ideal, they will still be a tough test for Emery's side and will likely be Villa's direct rivals again throughout the campaign.
The Villans ended their pre-season campaign on a positive note with a 2-0 win against La Liga outfit, Villarreal.
Form guide (pre-season)
Aston Villa: WLWDW
Newcastle: LDDLL
Team news
Emi Martinez is set to miss the opening day after being sent off on the final day of last season against Manchester United.
Marco Bizot will likely take the Argentine's place and make his debut against the Magpies.
Jacob Ramsey is not expected to be involved with the midfielder ironically linked with a move to Newcastle.
The visitors will be without their talisman, Alexander Isak, after reports suggest that the Swedish international will never play for the club again amid his ongoing transfer saga with Liverpool.
New signing Anthony Elanga could also potentially make his debut for Newcastle after making the move from Nottingham Forest earlier in the month.
Predicted lineups
Aston Villa: Bizot, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen, Kamara, Tielemans, Malen, Rogers, McGinn, Watkins
Newcastle United: Pope, Trippier, Botman, Burn, Livramento, Tonali, Joelinton, Guimaraes, Elanga, Gordon, Barnes
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Newcastle
Given all the noise and uncertainty around Isak, Villa are playing Newcastle at a perfect time.
Eddie Howe's side are likely to go into the game without starting a recognised striker, and this will play into Villa's hands.
With the recent addition of Evann Guessand, expect Ollie Watkins to look sharp and open the scoring as the England international looks to prove to Emery that he should be his main man up top.
- Watkins netted 16 Premier League goals last campaign
Despite not having Isak, Newcastle are still a quality side, so a goal from one of their talented forwards like Anthony Gordon is to be expected.
Then it is up to Villa to respond well and with a roaring Villa Park behind them, expect Emery's side to the pressure up before Morgan Rogers nets the winner.
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