We are finally back. Premier League football has returned after two and a half months away.
Since that 1-0 defeat to Everton on the final day of 2024/25, it’s been a chaotic time to put it mildly. Paul Mitchell announced his sudden exit less than 12 months into the job, Alexander Isak is attempting to force a move, several key transfer targets have rejected us across June and July, and we’ve not won a game over pre-season.
However, we still have the brilliant Eddie Howe, who has dealt with a tough summer impeccably like the true leader he is, Champions League football is coming back to Tyneside soon and we’ve shown signs of life in the summer window over the past week, handing us a much-needed lift heading into Saturday’s opener away to Aston Villa.
We’ve seen the £55m signing of Anthony Elanga – our lightning quick right winger from Forest – a loan-to-buy move for England stopper Aaron Ramsdale, the arrival of towering German centre-back Malick Thiaw from AC Milan and Jacob Ramsey’s imminent arrival from Aston Villa to add athleticism, drive and goals to our midfield.
With two of the above arriving this week, it feels like we’ve pulled back a bit of momentum, with Yoane Wissa expected to be next as a big upgrade on Callum Wilson; who departed alongside other long-serving Mags like Sean Longstaff, Martin Dubravka and Isaac Hayden.
The success or failure of this tricky summer and the impacts it has on the coming season may hinge on Isak’s next move and/or our ability to sign a quality replacement, but we can park that for now and focus on those actually committed to the club as Eddie Howe’s Mags kick off 2025/26 away to Aston Villa.
Predicted line-up
Starting XI (4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento – Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton – Elanga, Gordon, Barnes.
Ruled out: Willock (injury), Isak (on strike)
Potential selection dilemmas facing Howe include:
- Pope or Ramsdale? – Howe rarely rushes new signings in, so we’re going for Pope.
- Murphy or Elanga? – Murphy has been superb, but Elanga’s pace could exploit Villa’s high line.
- Could Hall start? – Unlikely to come straight into the side after limited minutes over pre-season.
- Could Botman start? – Not yet is my guess after only featuring in one of our last four pre-season games.
- Too early for Thiaw? – Pace and physicality could help vs Watkins, but I doubt he’ll be thrown in this quickly.
- Gordon or Osula? – The latter looked raw over pre-season, so we fully expect Gordon in a false 9 role.
For Aston Villa, first choice goalkeeper Emi Martinez is suspended, but driving force Morgan Rogers has been passed fit to play.
Match prediction
Alongside the obvious battle between Bruno, Tonali and Joelinton vs a dynamic Villa midfield, I think it could be a game where Schar and Burn will be tasked to handle the lively Ollie Watkins; who scored after one minute when we lost 4-1 at Villa Park back in April.
At the other end, Elanga and Gordon’s pace could be a dangerous weapon against Villa’s high line, with expert finsher Barnes also on hand in what could be a pretty fluid front three in Isak’s continued absence.
After the destabilising summer we’ve had, combined with the fact we’re likely to line up without an out and out striker, I’d probably take a point – and that’s exactly what I think we’ll come away with.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Newcastle
Howay the lads!
From last thread … Kim, I pay £79 a month total for EE. Including broadband, TV package that includes TNT sports, sky sports channels, land line telephone … 2 boxes, one that can record in my lounge and a second non-recording box in my bedroom.
My mobile is through giff gaff and is only £6 a month.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Going to be a tough match without a striker. Gordon is ok, but he’s best on the left. Be very interesting to see which defence we play as you say Olly. I guess we will find out soon enough.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I replied on previous thread mate, yes thanks for info, I really need to ditch VM.
kimtoon(Quote)
I don’t see us getting anything today sadly, we really need a proper striker in and in reality two are needed. Had really high hopes for Osula but looks like not quite ready yet.
kimtoon(Quote)
I saw the stats a few days ago, can’t remember them but although it was often a home win, we got something, win or draw, more than 50% of the time at Villa park, so hopeful of getting something
PremAndUp(Quote)
Why am I sat listening to Joe Cole waffle on?????
He’s thicker than a whale sandwich this kid!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’m going 2-0 the toon Barnes & Elanga.
I think the boys will be sick of the Isak craic and want to prove they can do it without them!!.
I look at our team now and it’s full of leaders. I can honestly see them coming out and putting a display on today … my balloon is fully inflated 🎈 please don’t pop it!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Hope it helps Kim!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
So Elanga starts. It’s a strong line up. That front line is quite fluid and Elanga has played through the middle before too, so wouldn’t be surprised to see them swap about.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Young Korean laddie is on the bench. Good to see. Hope he gets some time.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
Mcginn still as nasty as ever
kimtoon(Quote)
Looking good but we need a striker cause we should be 2 up , Villa will be better second half.
kimtoon(Quote)
Yellow for joe just on half time
kimtoon(Quote)
We should be 3 up at half time. Wasted our chances. Hope we don’t regret them later.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
We are sh.it in this second half 🤬
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Time to hook Elanga and put on Murphy
kimtoon(Quote)
Red all day long, Villa can’t complain.
kimtoon(Quote)
Reckon that would of been a goal too
kimtoon(Quote)
Rubbish
kimtoon(Quote)
Can’t believe we’re not ahead .
kimtoon(Quote)
Should of had 3 points today. Never expected us to be that good tbf, but boy we need a striker.
kimtoon(Quote)
Two points dropped there. The better side against Villa and especially with them down to 10, we were clearly toothless. I’ll take a point but we should’ve had that one.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Much as I expected, we couldn’t score and contained Villa well. The idea that we should have won by three is not backed up. We had an Xg of 1.47 so had we got two goals, we would have done remarkably well. Villa only managed 0.13, which shows how well we contained them.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Dan Burn… MotM… outstanding today.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Happy with how we played today & thought our ball recovery was outstanding. Just that final third that let us down really.
I thought we focused a bit too much on working it wide and actually balls through the middle with those 3 running onto them would have been a better option – the sending off being the perfect example, but also maybe our best chance with Elanga in the first 5 mins.
I know the story will be without Isak but actually if we got our finger out I think Wissa would have done better with a few of those chances too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Gilly – I agree mate, Burn was stand out today. Never put a foot wrong.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ummm .. tackling schar who was about to drop a ball in from a well worked freee kick was comedic. The gorgeous one was not happy
GR(Quote)
Mackems winning 2-0. 😡can you f’ing believe it?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
3-0. 😳😖🙄🙄
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Internet keeps dropping out today.
kimtoon(Quote)