Mat Kendrick, John Townley and Dan Rolinson previewed the new season on Claret & Blue
The Claret & Blue Aston Villa season preview is now live
The Claret & Blue Aston Villa season preview is now live
Aston Villa begin their 2025/26 campaign against Newcastle United on Saturday as Unai Emery’s side look to return to the Champions League.
A disappointing final-day defeat at Manchester United denied Villa a place in the top five, with Newcastle finishing above them on goal difference.
Nevertheless, an exciting season awaits Villa, who have been installed as one of the early favourites to go all the way in the Europa League next term.
In the league, Villa will once again target a top-five finish, despite strong summer recruitment from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur.
Villa are yet to lose any of their prized assets in this transfer window - a key part of their plan after missing out on the Champions League.
However, that stability has come at the cost of spending flexibility, with only two first-team signings made so far. Marco Bizot has arrived as back-up to Emi Martínez, while Evann Guessand joined from Nice in a £30 million deal.
Villa have two possible routes back to UEFA’s elite club competition: a strong Premier League campaign or winning a European trophy in the form of the Europa League.
Unai Emery is not expected to prioritise the Europa League over the Premier League - as Ange Postecoglou did last season - but lifting that trophy would allow Villa to achieve both of their primary objectives.
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