Premier League 2025-26 Match Preview: Aston Villa vs Newcastle – Analysis, Forecast, Notable Players
In the highly anticipated opening match of the 2025-26 Premier League season, Aston Villa and Newcastle United played to a 0-0 draw at Villa Park on August 16.
Aston Villa, who won their opening match last season (2-1 at West Ham), have not won on the opening day in consecutive campaigns since the 2013-14 and 2015-16 seasons. This result extended their unbeaten home league record over a calendar year.
Newcastle, on the other hand, have won their opening league match in each of the last three seasons, more than in the previous 14 campaigns combined. However, they struggled to capitalise on an early red card for Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa in the 66th minute, partly due to the absence of their star striker Alexander Isak.
Unai Emery's Aston Villa have been in good form in pre-season, winning three friendlies. Ollie Watkins, who led Villa in goals (16) and assists (8) in the 2022-2023 season, had an impressive pre-season as well, scoring in the Villarreal 0-2 Aston Villa match. Watkins has also scored in all four of his Premier League home games against Newcastle, totaling five goals.
Newcastle have strengthened their defence with the signing of Malick Thiaw from AC Milan. Thiaw brings valuable experience of Champions League football to the Magpies. Newcastle's pre-season preparations, however, have been dominated by the transfer saga surrounding Alexander Isak.
Despite the draw, Tyrone Mings anticipates a difficult start to Aston Villa's Premier League season. The Opta win probability for the match favoured Aston Villa (42%) slightly over Newcastle (32.7%), with a draw (25.4%) also being possible.
This was the second meeting in three seasons between Villa and Newcastle in their opening league match of the season. Newcastle have lost five of their last six Premier League away games against Aston Villa, with the exception being a 3-1 victory in January 2024.
Jacob Murphy had his best Premier League campaign last season, scoring 8 goals and registering 12 assists. The second meeting between these two sides this season promises to be an exciting one, with both teams eager to start the new campaign on a winning note.
[1] Source for Aston Villa's unbeaten home league record [2] Source for the result of the match [3] Source for the Opta win probability
Sentence 1: Aston Villa, who have not won on the opening day in consecutive campaigns since the 2013-14 and 2015-16 seasons, have extended their unbeaten home league record over a calendar year.
Sentence 2: In the European leagues, Jacob Murphy had a stellar campaign with Newcastle last season, notching 8 goals and 12 assists, setting the stage for an exciting second meeting between the two teams in the 2025-26 Premier League season.
