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 has essentially gone on strike, several key transfer targets have rejected us 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, energy and goals to our midfield. With two of those done 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.
**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 helo 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.
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 eager to capitalise.
After the summer we’ve had, combined with the fact we’ll likely line up without and out and out striker, I’d take a solid point – and that’s exactly what I think we’ll come away with.
**Prediction:** Aston Villa 1-1 Newcastle
Howay the lads!