Aston Villa vs Newcastle
Back Villa to take advantage of Newcastle's difficult summer
Aston Villa and Newcastle were embroiled in the race for fifth place last season, with the Magpies eventually winning that battle. Villa will be determined to get their revenge on the opening weekend of the 2025-26 season as they welcome Eddie Howe’s men to the West Midlands.
Games between these two sides always deliver when it comes to entertaining, and this is expected to be another high-scoring end-to-end encounter. Villa were defeated just once at home last season, winning each of their last five at this venue, including a 4-1 success against the Magpies on April 19th.
Villa have also had a decent pre-season, beating Villareal and Roma and have scored plenty of goals in the process. Ollie Watkins has looked particularly sharp, and he should be ready to go on Saturday lunchtime. He’s netted five times against this opposition and is a potential option in the anytime goalscorer market.
Newcastle’s summer has been a damp squib. They’ve lost out on several targets, and the ongoing drama surrounding the future of striker Alexander Isak continues to disrupt preparations for the new campaign. Nevertheless, they have added Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale, although the former is a doubt for this opener.
Newcastle’s record on the road was mixed last season, and they lost four of their last seven at the back end of the 2024-25 campaign. This is a tough first assignment for the Tyneside club, whose preparations have been far from ideal. I expect them to come under pressure from a confident and lively Villa outfit.
Jack’s football journey began in the early 2000s at Bloomfield Road, sparking a lifelong passion for the EFL and beyond. With over a decade of writing and tipping experience, he delivers sharp insights and value-driven betting advice across football, darts, tennis, and horse racing.
When he’s not analysing stats, Jack is on commentary duty for Stoke City and occasionally heard at Owlerton Greyhound Stadium. Based in Leeds, he’s as reliable with a brew as he is with a bet.