The 2025/26 Premier League season gets underway on Friday evening as Liverpool take on AFC Bournemouth at Anfield, with the defending champions going for their 21st title after a heavy summer of spending.
The first Saturday lunchtime game of the season pits Aston Villa against Newcastle United with the two sides aiming to return to the UEFA Champions League this season with top four or five finishes.
The Villains have had a quiet summer, while Newcastle’s transfer window has been dominated by talk of Alexander Isak departing the club, with the Sweden international on strike.
The Sporting News brings you a preview and prediction, with some tips and odds, as the Magpies travel down to the second city to play at Villa Park this weekend.
MORE: Premier League 2025/26 predictions and latest betting
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Aston Villa vs. Newcastle prediction
There appears to be an increasingly widely held view that Newcastle are going to struggle this season after their slow pre-season dominated by speculation. Villa will want to get the revenge for the 5-1 thrashing dished out by Eddie Howe’s side to them on the opening day two years ago at St James’ Park.
Backing Aston Villa with Sky Bet comes in at 5/4, with the draw priced up at 13/5 and Newcastle can be backed as the outsiders at 19/10 with the bookmaker.
The Sporting News' Score Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Newcastle
- Aston Villa are rated as a 37.5% implied chance to beat Newcastle at Villa Park by Sky Bet.
- Learn more about reading odds, different types of bets and the best online betting sites through our how to bet on football guide
Aston Villa vs. Newcastle expected lineups
Here's how we think these two sides will line up for this Premier League opener.
- Aston Villa predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Bizot (GK) — Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne — Tielemans, Onana — McGinn, Ramsey, Malen — Watkins
Injured: Rogers (ankle), Barkley (knock), Garcia (knock)
Suspended: Martinez
- Newcastle United predicted starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Pope (GK) — Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento — Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton — Elanga, Gordon, Barnes
Injured: Willock (calf), Gordon (ankle, doubt)
Suspended: None
Aston Villa vs. Newcastle latest odds, correct score betting
Our 2-1 prediction is at very good odds with Betfair, but there are plenty of other possible score lines that are worth looking at for this one. Here's a look at some of the most likely outcomes according to the bookmakers.
Result | Odds* |
Draw 1-1 | |
Aston Villa 2-1 | |
Aston Villa 1-0 | |
Newcastle 2-1 | |
Draw 2-2 | |
Newcastle 1-0 |
*Click odds to bet direct with our selected partners. Odds correct at time of publish.
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Aston Villa vs. Newcastle team news
- Aston Villa are without goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for this opener against Newcastle, as he is missing through suspension due to a red card he picked up against Manchester United.
- England international Morgan Rogers is also expected to be unavailable for the opening day due to an ankle injury sustained during pre-season.
- Alexander Isak will be absent from the opening day trip to Birmingham as the Sweden international tries to force through a move to Liverpool this summer.
- It is likely that Anthony Gordon gets deployed in the ‘false nine’ position, albeit the former Everton attacker is struggling with a slight ankle issue.
Aston Villa vs. Newcastle Bet Builder tips
Our bet builder for this game is Aston Villa to win and Both Teams To Score, which is priced at 3/1 with Sky Bet. To boost those odds, though, it is worth looking at Ollie Watkins to score anytime (11/8), which comes to 3.99/1 overall.
You can check out the latest odds and bet direct with our selected partners using the bet builder tool below.
How to watch Aston Villa vs. Newcastle: Live stream, TV channel
- Date: Saturday, August 16
- Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham, England
- Time: 12:30 p.m. BST
- TV/Stream: TNT Sports, Discovery+