Aston Villa vs Newcastle injuries and suspensions update: Barkley one of five definitely out
Aston Villa are set to kick off their Premier League campaign against Newcastle United, but several players will be absent.
Unai Emery will hope to begin the season with a victory against Eddie Howe’s side, and avoid a repeat of a 5-1 thrashing they suffered against the Magpies in August two years ago.
Aston Villa and Newcastle have both had frustrating transfer windows, but they recently did business together as Jacob Ramsey agreed a deal to move to Howe’s side in recent days.
Both sides will be missing players for the upcoming clash, and key stars will be absent from Villa Park for several different reasons.
Aston Villa missing three players against Newcastle
Villa will be without three players for the visit of Newcastle, and this will lead to a Premier League debut for one new signing.
Emi Martinez is suspended after his red card on the final day of last season, and this will mean summer signing Marco Bizot makes his league debut for Villa.
Right-back Andres Garcia is injured, and has been ruled out of the clash entirely, but having been an unused substitute for the final few games of last season, it was unlikely that he would start anyway.
| Team | Position | Wins | Goals | Points |
| Newcastle | 5th | 20 | 68 | 66 |
| Aston Villa | 6th | 19 | 58 | 66 |
Ross Barkley will also miss the game. The midfielder is currently being assessed, but is lacking match fitness, and will certainly not be in the starting XI.
Emery was unlikely to start the latter two, but he will be frustrated that he could not have a fully-fit squad for the opening day.
Newcastle missing two players vs Aston Villa
Newcastle have problems themselves, and a key absentee is Alexander Isak, as the attacker is on strike as he attempts to push for a move to Liverpool.
Joe Willock suffered a long-term injury in pre-season, and will be absent for the foreseeable future, meaning he will not make the trip to Villa Park.
Anthony Gordon was a doubt, but he has now been passed fit, and is likely to start in attack in a depleted Newcastle front line given Isak’s absence.
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