After 11 weeks away, Premier League football is finally back, as Newcastle United kick off their 2023/24 campaign with the visit of Aston Villa to St James’ Park.
It’s been a positive summer so far. Anthony Gordon helped England’s U21 to Euro glory, we’ve brought in three quality signings in Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento, and our pre-season has been positive.
It kicked off at Gateshead with a 3-2 win in the soaking wet, then came a 2-1 win at Rangers, followed by our trip to America for the Summer Series, where we drew 3-3 with Aston Villa, 1-1 with Chelsea and beat Brighton at the death thanks to a brilliant brace from Elliot Anderson.
To round things off ahead of the new season, last weekend’s Sela Cup features a 2-0 win over Fiorentina and Barnes brace during Sunday’s 4-0 dismantling of Villarreal. So, all in all, a promising few months – but now the hard work starts!
Eddie Howe has challenged his players to “earn that right all over again” after last season’s heroics saw us seal a top-four finish and return to the Champions League after 20 years away. He knows this term will pose a ‘different dynamic’ and a host of new challenges as we bid to maintain our incredible 2022/23 form while competing on four fronts.
First up, we face Aston Villa; a team being tipped to become the latest side to unsettle the ‘big six’ – or should I say the big seven – after appointing the excellent Unai Emery, ending last season superbly and signing well this summer after securing European football.
We battered them 4-0 when the two sides met last at St James’ Park (just before Emery arrive), yet suffered our most convincing defeat of the 2022/23 season back in April, where they outplayed us in every department in that 3-0 loss at Villa Park.
It promises to be a real tactical battle and immediate test of both teams’ mettle. I can’t wait to be back at St James’ Park, to feel the atmosphere, hear local hero as the players walk out, see Wor Flags and that all-action style Eddie Howe demands as our new signings bust a gut to make an impression in front of 52,000 fans. Our record on Tyneside has been outstanding over the past 18 months and there’d be nothing better than an opening day win to get that black and white ball rolling again!
Team news
Eddie Howe has confirmed that Fabian Schar is fit and available, as things stand, after training well this week, suggesting he’s recovered from a hamstring concern that forced him off in our Summer Series draw with Chelsea.
Joe Willock (hamstring) and Emil Krafth (ACL) will miss out after failing to feature in any of our seven pre-season games, although it’s hoped both will be back in full training soon.
For Villa, Emi Buendia has been ruled out with an ACL injury. Jacob Ramsey (ankle) remains out, alongside Bertrand Traore and Leander Dendoncker, but former Toon target Moussa Diaby is in line to make his Premier League debut.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton – Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
For me, Eddie Howe is facing three big dilemmas:
- Anderson, Longstaff or Tonali to start alongside Bruno and Joelinton?
- Gordon or Barnes on the left?
- Wilson or Isak up top?
I still think there’s a slim chance Isak plays on the left, allowing both him and Wilson – last season’s top scorer – to start. However, I think Howe will go with Longstaff, Gordon and Isak from those options.
In midfield, Longstaff was a big miss when we were overrun in that 3-0 defeat at Villa Park in April. Like most overseas signings, I expect Howe to ease Tonali, but it would be harsh on Anderson. He’s been our player of pre-season, but hasn’t played on the right side of a midfield three much. If you move him to the left, you mess with Joelinton’s best position; where he supports our left winger and protect Dan Burn so well.
On the left, Barnes’ brace on Sunday was a reminder that he’s currently more clinical than Gordon, but the latter looks up to speed physically and full of confidence. He’s had months to get used to our system, our pressing and what Howe demands from his wingers, giving him the edge on Barnes; who didn’t feature in several of Leicester’s friendlies before signing a few weeks ago. For me, Howe will look to build on Gordon’s improved confidence and fitness levels, while also giving Barnes a chance to improve his fitness levels and understanding of the team dynamic.
Up top it’s so hard to call and such a tough choice when both are fit. However, if only one can start and Isak isn’t used on the left, I can’t see Howe leaving out our club-record signing. Not only that, he started alongside Gordon and Almiron against Fiorentina, meaning the trio I’m backing to start on Saturday have already had some experience of playing together.
Aston Villa predicted XI: Martinez – Cash, Konsa, Mings, Torres – McGinn, Kamara, Douglas Luiz, Philogene – Diaby, Watkins.
One to watch: Moussa Diaby – Heavily linked with a move to Newcastle over the past 18 months but ended up sealing a club-record move to Villa. Has already impressed over pre-season, has bags of pace and will look to test us in behind and out wide.
Prediction
I’m expecting a tough game, but so will Aston Villa! St James’ Park is finally a fortress again; something Eddie Howe will be desperate to maintain as we step into a 2023/24 season full of fresh challenges.
I think they’ll score, look far more solid than they did on their last trip to Tyneside and have the pace to cause our back four problems, but I expect our intensity to be too much, our high-press to force errors and our midfield three to win the battle they lost when we last met in April.
Isak and Almiron to score in a tight but entertaining opener on Tyneside!
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Aston Villa
HWTL!
I can’t pick a front 6. Change my mind every few minutes. I bet you did too Olly.
How can I leave Anderson out or Barnes and his goals. Tonali? Do I drop Sean out. Has Gordon improved that much? On and on . . .
georgio(Quote)
Exactly, it’s tricky isn’t it, don’t envy Eddie one bit. Nice headache to have though.
kimtoon(Quote)
Gotta love options .. is that the buzz word this season after last seasons ‘intensity’
One thing villa looked to have sussed when they humped Newcastle last season was to effectively bypass the high press and get at the back four quickly. It was evident in the summer series too altho I get that was an exhibition game.
Howe needs a plan to overcome that
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Anyone watched the Amazon Prime program, we are Newcastle? I just watched the first one. Goosebumps! Great!
How long before the site is fixed again? 😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
So, Caicedo rejects Liverpool, and Chelsea, who’ve already spent close to a billion, are preparing a £115million package to sign him, and … and … Chelsea also after Lavia from Saints, another £50million or so 😳. Just how the fucking hell are they able to spend so much and have so many players, and not be foul of ffp? Clearly a fine is nothing to them. 😡😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Well done Matildas, what a shoot out that was.
kimtoon(Quote)
Agree mate, thought they looked better than us in the states and was very impressed with them. Hope Eddie has a very good plan B today.
kimtoon(Quote)
Right Lionesses up next, gonna be tough game this one. Hopefully not 20 pens like the aus – france game ! Don’t think my heart could take it.
kimtoon(Quote)
Good chance for lionesses
kimtoon(Quote)
And another chance goes begging
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – they’re matching the Colombians physically to be fair – but every shot been right at the keeper. Playing well though.
Sharpy17(Quote)
bug ger
kimtoon(Quote)
As for us today, I’d go Tonali at 6 with Bruno right of him & Joelinton left of him.
Up front id go with Almiron right, Wilson through the middle & Barnes on the left to start with.
I favour Wilson’s natural, physical CF play against the likes of Mings & Konsa – if that’s their CBs.
Barnes I just favour coz he’s more of a natural left sided forward – pacey, direct and a real goal threat.
I think having Gordon & Isak on the bench who can play any of those front 3 positions just allows them to use them to change things up however they may need to.
I’m pleased they are missing Ramsey & Buendia coz they ripped through us out in America.
Ramsey is a big player for them in how they play.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – that’s their first real chance – and it was a cross!!
Played well England but pretty toothless up front so need to get going now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Get in ladies
kimtoon(Quote)
Sharpy, they heard you
kimtoon(Quote)
Nice from England lasses and deserved
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Kim – I’m pleased as well. I’ve got my little niece watching & texting me every 2 mins 😖
She’s only 8 but has caught the bug hard since they won the Euros & Jill Scott. It’s lush, but she’s not experienced that Italia 90 feeling I went through at 11 😂.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Interesting to see no £30m tierney in arsenal squad today Wonder if Newcastle still interested or have moved on. Id prefer going after a CB but some patter a LB is priority now
Hmm .. I got sharpys details
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
See the Arsenal game has been delayed coz of issues with e-ticketing. We use that for the first time today as well so hopefully it goes a bit more smoothly for us 🤦🏼♂️🤞🏼
Sharpy17(Quote)
Russo get in
kimtoon(Quote)
God yeah, Italia 90, don’t remind me mate
kimtoon(Quote)
😊👏Get in Ladies
kimtoon(Quote)
Well done England. A bit squeaky but into semis.
Aussies next .. tasty
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Listening to the commentary on bbc radio about the England game today and the analysis of the commentators is worlds apart from the cliched tripe we get around the PL.
commentators are articulate, smart, incisive and respectful with References to sports science, tactics, teamwork, and personality and does not rely on childish, **** and self aggrandising ‘banter’
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
I think we are on the verge of another signing
Icedog(Quote)
Brilliant job by the Lionesses 👏🏼
They’ve got an 8 year old Morpeth lass daring to dream 😂 she’s hyper!! 😂.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yeah issues with the site – my posts aren’t showing straight away again & im having to re-input my details every time.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Fab. Looking forward to Howe denying all knowledge anything is close while the new signing sneaks into SJP behind him 🤣🤣
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Just seen Brunos new hairdo – silly boy.
georgio(Quote)
Ice – a proper one mate or another teenager?
Will be interesting to see who it is. If it’s a CB then I think that’s us done, but any other position and I think we keep after a CB.
Sharpy17(Quote)
SHARPY. Don’t know just that it’s overtime for him lol
Icedog(Quote)
Nervous about this one, villa are now a very good side too. And will we get shenanigans from the ref and VAR? Let’s see … Gordon starts as does Tonali.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
TOON ALI
kimtoon(Quote)
Lovely stuff
kimtoon(Quote)
ooooh almost another
kimtoon(Quote)
FGS
kimtoon(Quote)
Get in Isakkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
VAR took forever there, if it’s taking that long then we are in the realm of nik picking
kimtoon(Quote)
Breathless opening
So please for Sandro and unlucky not to get 2 and isak off to a flyer
Bit too open at the back for comfort
Injury to mings looks bad and hope he’s back soon
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Good first half but our defence looks a bit open. That Diaby is a player though isn’t he? Wish we’d got him. Went flat after the injury.
That should’ve been a defo red for their goalie though. Since it was the goalie, that was a clear goal opportunity… clear red.
Great start for Gordon and Tonali. Brno needs to play at the same level as his hairdo.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
God I’ve missed this!!.
That first 20mins was like a basketball game 😂 love it!!
Look good going forward but vulnerable defensively – but Villa have some good players to be fair.
Buzzing for Tonali – what a way to mark your debut & so close to a 2nd shortly after!!.
Same again 2nd half please 😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
It’s great to have premier league footy back.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Thrilled with that like
Well done lads and how good is Isak man.
Barnes is going to do well too.
Martinez must of wished he’d been red carded .
kimtoon(Quote)
I don’t say this lightly – that was sensational.
That was a very tough first fixture against a team a lot of people have tipped to challenge top 6 this season – and may still do so.
They came to square up to us and fair play for that – but they have been handed a good hiding there like coz we had 3 or 4 very good chances on top of our 5 goals.
Wow!!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
What a match. Could’ve been 6 or 7 in the end. Great goals from Barnes and Tonali. Great to have strength on the bench too. That should put us top!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Fantastic start to the season.
And this site man … comments missing, have to keep refreshing, name and details missing, wrong details and soooo many fucking ads
Gilly Toon(Quote)
And, and … what a touch by Murphy for Barnes’ goal. So many good things about this team.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I know some fans will say we didn’t buy elite because we bought Barnes rather than Diaby – but that boy is proven PL quality.
Tino is a bit of an unknown, but was bought to be given time to learn from Trips I reckon.
Tonali & Barnes are top quality signings – full stop no returns 😂👌🏼
Sharpy17(Quote)
Premier league table looks good tonight.
kimtoon(Quote)
Fabulous stuff, with two full debut goals, an awesome piece of skill goal, text book training ground goal and a total football goal.
Stuff to work on for sure but that midfield trio is just mouth watering in its potential.
Thought the double press worked nicely to counter villa coming out from the back
Bet Gordon is sore tonight as villa took it in turns to target him
Great start against a likely European space competitor. On we go
GoWest!Mag(Quote)