Premier League 2025-2026: Aston Villa-Newcastle, the likely lineups
The first ‘lunch match’ of the Premier League 2025-2026 sees Aston Villa and Newcastle United face each other, two teams that last season battled to the bitter end for Champions League qualification: to come out on top, on that occasion, were the Magpies, able to prevail on overall goal difference. The calendar thus offers the Villans an immediate opportunity for revenge.
At the helm of Aston Villa there’s still Unai Emery, who after taking over from Steven Gerrard in November 2022 has not left it. On the pitch, the certainty is striker Ollie Watkins: the 29-year-old is back from nine seasons in double figures and is counting on confirming himself as the Claret & Blue team’s main offensive reference point.
The 29-year-old is also a member of the Aston Villa squad.
Also on the other side there’s a confirmed coach, Eddie Howe: the 47-year-old Buckinghamshire-born last year brought great joy to the HCL fans, guiding the Magpies to the conquest of the Carabao Cup. On the field there is space for a blue player, Sandro Tonali: the former AC Milan midfielder is in his third season in England.
Probable lineups
ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Bizot; Cash, Pau Torres, Konsa, Maatsen; Kamara, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Malen; Watkins. All: Emery.
NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Barnes, Elanga. All: Howe.
