Match Preview Aston Villa vs Newcastle United Premier League Game Week 1

Explore Coral’s detailed game week one match preview for Aston Villa vs Newcastle United in the Premier League. Stats, odds, predictions, and line-ups for the 12:30 BST kick off at Villa Park on Saturday, 16 August 2025.

Fixture: Aston Villa vs Newcastle United

Date: Saturday, 16 August 2025

Kick-off: 12:30 BST

Venue: Villa Park

Aston Villa, under Unai Emery, aim to build on their 6th-place finish in 2024/25 (65 points, 76 goals) with a solid pre-season (2-0-1), including wins over Roma (4-0) and Villarreal (0-2), though a 3-1 loss to Marseille exposed defensive issues. New signings Amadou Onana and Ian Maatsen add depth, with Ollie Watkins (19 goals) leading the attack. Newcastle United, under Eddie Howe, finished 5th in 2024/25 (66 points, 71 goals) but had a challenging pre-season (0-2-1), with draws against Tottenham (1-1) and Espanyol (2-2), and a 0-2 loss to Atletico Madrid. Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon (if fit & available) remain key threats despite Callum Wilson’s departure.

At Villa Park, Aston Villa’s home strength (12 wins in 2024/25) and attacking flair (Watkins, Rogers) should test Newcastle’s defence (49 goals conceded). Newcastle’s counter-attacking pace (Gordon, Isak) could exploit Villa’s occasional lapses, but Villa’s form and home advantage give them a slight edge in a tight contest.

Match Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Newcastle United

Aston Villa’s pre-season was competitive (2-0-1), with wins over Roma (4-0) and Villarreal (0-2), though a 3-1 loss to Marseille highlighted defensive concerns. Ollie Watkins (19 goals in 2024/25) and new signings Amadou Onana and Ian Maatsen impressed. Emery’s 4-2-3-1 will leverage home support and wing play to dominate possession and create chances against Newcastle’s defence.

Recent Pre-Season Results:

• Win: 0-2 vs Villarreal (A)

• Loss: 1-3 vs Marseille (A)

• Win: 4-0 vs Roma (H)

Newcastle’s pre-season was inconsistent (0-2-1), with draws against Tottenham (1-1) and Espanyol (2-2), and a 0-2 loss to Atletico Madrid, exposing defensive vulnerabilities. Alexander Isak (21 goals in 2024/25) and Anthony Gordon (11 goals) are key, but Callum Wilson’s departure weakens their attack. Howe’s 4-3-3 will rely on Guimarães’ midfield control and counter-attacks to challenge Villa’s backline at Villa Park.

Recent Pre-Season Results:

• Loss: 0-2 vs Atletico Madrid (N)

• Draw: 2-2 vs Espanyol (N)

• Draw: 1-1 vs Tottenham (N)

The rivalry between Aston Villa and Newcastle has been competitive, with Newcastle winning three of the last five Premier League encounters, including a 5-1 thrashing (12 Aug 2023). Villa’s 3-0 win (15 Apr 2023) and 1-3 victory (30 Jan 2024) show their home potential, setting up a tight opener.

Recent Premier League Results:

• Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle United (04 Apr 2025)

• Newcastle United 3-0 Aston Villa (26 Dec 2024)

• Aston Villa 1-3 Newcastle United (30 Jan 2024)

• Newcastle United 5-1 Aston Villa (12 Aug 2023)

• Aston Villa 3-0 Newcastle United (15 Apr 2023)

• Emi Martinez (Suspended)

• Ross Barkley - Doubtful (Knock)

• Morgan Rogers - Doubtful (Ankle) 

• Alexander Isak: Out

• Anthony Gordon: Doubtful (Ankle Injury)

• Joe Willock: Out (Ankle Injury)

Line-up: Bizot, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen, Onana, Tielemans, Bailey, Rogers, Ramsey, Watkins

Aston Villa’s line-up under Unai Emery features new signings Amadou Onana and Ian Maatsen. Ollie Watkins (19 goals in 2024/25) leads the attack, with Leon Bailey and Morgan Rogers providing wing flair. The 4-2-3-1 emphasises possession and high pressing to exploit Newcastle’s defence.

Line-up: Pope, Livramento, Schär, Botman, Tino, Tonali, Guimarães, Joelinton, Gordon, Elanga, Barnes

Newcastle’s line-up under Eddie Howe replaces the goals from Alexander Isak with Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes. Bruno Guimarães anchors midfield, while Sven Botman and Fabian Schär ensure defensive solidity. The 4-3-3 focuses on counter-attacks to challenge Villa’s backline.

• Ollie Watkins vs Sven Botman: Watkins’ finishing (19 goals in 2024/25) tests Botman’s defensive solidity.

• John McGinn vs Bruno Guimarães: McGinn’s energy challenges Guimarães’ midfield control.

• Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa): His goal-scoring form is key to Villa’s attack.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.