Newcastle United v Aston Villa: predicted line-up, team news and match preview
Aston Villa responded to last Sunday’s defeat against Everton by beating Fenerbahçe on their own patch in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
Villa are riding high in third in the Premier League despite a draw and a loss in their last two matches, seven points behind leaders Arsenal and seven clear of Liverpool in fourth.
Unai Emery has made clear his feelings about Villa’s midfield injury problems and lack of options but stops short of making excuses. As he always does, the Villa boss will send his team out at Newcastle United on Sunday expecting a match-winning performance.
Villa at St James’ Park
This week’s Premier League fixtures are the reverse of the opening weekend of 2025-26, when a goalless draw between these teams at Villa Park saw Ezri Konsa sent off and the tone set for the awful few weeks that followed.
Villa’s away record at Newcastle is less than ideal. They’ve been beaten on each of their last four visits to Tyneside and not lightly, either. The last three were 3-0, 5-1 and 4-0 wins for the Magpies, making St James’ Park definitively a crappy hunting ground.
It’s been more than 20 years since Villa’s last win there and it was one of the most notorious games in the Premier League’s 34-year history. David O’Leary’s Villa won 3-0 thanks to Juan Pablo Ángel and a Gareth Barry double but that barely scratches the surface.
On that day in the 2004-05 season, Newcastle’s Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer each received a straight red card for scrapping with one another and Steven Taylor was dismissed for handling the ball on the goal line – with this hand, not his chest.
These teams will meet again next month when Villa host Newcastle in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Villa team news
The injury status of goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is unknown after his skipped the midweek trip to Turkey, during which Amadou Onana came on as a substitute to mark his return from injury.
Midfielders John McGinn and Ross Barkley are sidelined for an indeterminate period and Boubacar Kamara is done for the season.
Emery will surely be asked about wingers Alysson and Leon Bailey before the game. The Brazilian has been out with a knock since he signed for Villa and Bailey, who has been recalled from a willing Roma, may or may not be part of Villa’s plans.
Villa predicted line-up v Newcastle United
I expect Ian Maatsen, Pau Torres and Konsa to be restored to the back four in front of Marco Bizot in goal, and Villa’s team largely picks itself.
Where to watch Newcastle United v Villa
Villa’s away game against Newcastle United will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK.
Read more
➡️ How to watch Newcastle United v Aston Villa: kick-off time, TV channels and streams
The post Newcastle United v Aston Villa: predicted line-up, team news and match preview appeared first on AVillaFan.com – Aston Villa Fan Site.