Newcastle United’s hopes of Champions League football have been handed a small boost with one of our main rivals set to lose a key man to injury for the final three games of the Premier League season.
Newcastle face Chelsea at home on Sunday in what could prove to be our biggest league match under Eddie Howe, with the winner taking a huge step towards securing a top-five finish.
With Arsenal likely to finish second, there are still three spots up for grabs as we battle with Chelsea, Aston Villa, Man City and Nottingham Forest who are all still in with a chance of joining Europe’s elite.
But one of those contenders has lost another player to injury heading into upcoming games against Bournemouth, Spurs and Man Utd.
Aston Villa suffer second injury blow
As reported by The Athletic, Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans will miss the remainder of the season with a muscle injury, joining Marcus Rashford (hamstring) on the sidelines.
The Belgian international has been one of Villa’s top performers this season and has been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, making his absence a big blow in this final run of fixtures.
Villa – currently on 60 points – sit three points behind us heading into the weekend, but they have significantly poorer goal difference and may need to win all of their remaining games to secure a top five finish.
Unai Emery’s side have a tough tie away to Bournemouth in Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off, before facing Spurs at home and Man Utd away. Ornstein reports that Tielemans’ hoped of playing again on the final day are seen as ‘remote.’
As for Newcastle, the news comes after we lost a key midfielder of our own in Joelinton, who may not play again this term after managing a knee issue.
🚨 Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans set for spell out injured – fears 28yo Belgium international will miss rest of #AVFC season with muscle problem. Chance of returning for #MUFC on last day but currently seen as remote. W/ @J_Tanswell @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/bwqUPCTrN7
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) May 8, 2025
Newcastle have avoided another injury crisis
So far this season we have endured injuries to important players – the most notable being Sven Botman who has missed the majority of the campaign – but we have largely faired quite well in this department.
Compared to last season when players like Michael Ndiweni, now of Newcastle Blue Star, were featuring on the bench for our trip to PSG in the Champions League with the squad down to the bare bones for a large portion of the year.
Thankfully we have avoided any big absences other than the Dutchman and Lewis Hall’s absence from a foot issue, with key man Alexander Isak being the biggest boost given his recent injury record.
Howe and his staff will be hoping and praying that our luck continues for the last three games before what could be a big summer of investment and preparing the squad for another European campaign.
