Aston Villa vs Newcastle Predictions

• Villa beat Newcastle 4-1 in April at Villa Park.
• Newcastle will be without want-away striker Alexander Isak.
• Villa won their final eight home games across all comps last season.

Top four rivals clash at Villa Park

Two potential contenders for a top four finish face off in the early game on the first Saturday of the new Premier League season as Aston Villa entertain Newcastle United.

Villa reached the last eight of Europe’s elite club competition last season but they have to settle for the Europa League in 2025/26, while Newcastle’s fifth placed finish was enough to book them a place in the Champions League for the second time in three years.

These sides look fairly evenly matched but Villa are the more settled team at present. Unai Emery has largely kept his Villa side intact and the capture of Evann Guessand improves his attacking options.

Newcastle are in discussions to buy Jacob Ramsey from their hosts, indeed that deal may well have been concluded by the time this game kicks off. The big question mark at St James’ Park is the future of Alexander Isak, who led the scoring charts for the team last season but finds himself in limbo as the season approaches after attempting to force through an exit that has so far failed to materialise.

Villa look the best bet

With Isak out of the picture, Newcastle look light in attack here and they’ve struggled through pre-season with just one win and four defeats in seven friendlies.

Villa ended a three-season opening day losing streak with victory at West Ham last term and they look capable of recording a second consecutive opening round win this weekend as they take on a Newcastle side who will no doubt be distracted by their ongoing Isak saga.

Villa also ended last season in fine form, despite missing out on a top five spot, and they were particularly strong at home – signing off with eight straight home wins across all competitions, including a 3-2 win over a PSG side who went on to win the Champions League and a 4-1 victory over the Magpies.

Newcastle may strike in defeat

A Villa win is expected, but Newcastle may be able to get on the scoresheet as Isak isn’t their only danger man and they have scored in their last two visits to this venue.

A 2-1 home win is the correct score pick as Newcastle should be able to keep this game fairly close and they had a solid defensive record last season with 47 goals conceded in 38 games, so a repeat of Villa’s 4-1 win at this ground back in April looks unlikely.

Villa striker Ollie Watkins has been banging the goals in over pre-season with four strikes in as many friendly outings. Watkins had 16 goals in 38 games last term and he can open his account for the season at the first opportunity on Saturday.