Aston Villa star ruled out of Newcastle opener as five TV selections are confirmed
The Premier League fixtures were announced this morning, handing Newcastle a tough start to the 2025/26 season.
Up first is a tough trip to Aston Villa, where we'll be hoping for revenge after a 4-1 battering in April ended our run of six straight wins.
In the end, we pipped Unai Emery's side to a top five finish and Champions League football, with their final day defeat at Man Utd proving costly in more ways than one last month.
Villa star already ruled out
Aston Villa stopper Emi Martinez will miss Newcastle’s opening day trip to Villa Park.
The Argentinian No 1 was sent off in Villa's final day loss at Old Trafford and that one-match ban will now carry into the opening game of 2025/26.
It remains to be seen if the 32-year-old will still be at the club by that point, with rumours suggesting he could depart, but it will be a big loss for Emery either way.
Martinez has been linked with a potential move to Man Utd, while talk of lucrative offers from the Saudi Pro League continue to circulate.
🔴 Emi Martinez will miss Newcastle’s opening day trip to Aston Villa next season (if he’s still at the club).
The one-match ban from #AVFC’s final day defeat to Man Utd carries into the opening game of 2025/26. #NUFC
— NUFCBlog.co.uk (@NUFCblogcouk) June 18, 2025
TV selection for opening gameweek
Newcastle's opening game of the new season will be televised, with TNT Sports already confirming plans to show the game.
The match will take place on Saturday 16th August at 12.30pm, being the second game screened of the new 2025/26 season after Sky Sports' show Liverpool at home to Bournemouth at 8pm on Friday 15th August.
Saturday night's game (5.30pm) will see Wolves take on Man City live on Sky Sports, while the two 'Super Sunday' fixtures see Chelsea host Crystal Palace (2pm) and Man Utd face Arsenal (4.30pm).
To round off gameweek one, newly promoted Leeds United will be on Monday Night Football at 8pm, taking on David Moyes' Everton.
