Villa vs Newcastle: Clash of Champions League Hopefuls with Key Absences

Aston Villa open their Premier League campaign with a home match against the team who pipped them to the fifth and final Champions League spot as they welcome Newcastle United to Villa Park.

Unai Emery's side enjoyed a return to European football with Champions League football last season but failed to secure another campaign in Europe's top tier club competition finishing sixth and level on points with this weekend's opponents who beat them convincingly on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Newcastle have their own headaches to deal with. After securing Champions League once again under Eddie Howe as well as lifting their first major trophy in more than 70 years , they have produced a below-par transfer window with the potential of losing last season's top scorer and talisman Alexander Isak . The Swedish international has made his intentions clear that he fully expects to leave the club this summer with Liverpool the frontrunners to sign the former Real Sociedad striker.

Villa will be without first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who serves a one-match ban following his red card against Manchester United in May. Morgan Rogers is a doubt after a knock, while Ross Barkley and Andres Garcia are continuing their comebacks from injuries sustained in pre-season. Emery may keep faith with the core that finished the summer friendlies, with Guessand offering a different profile up top if minutes allow.

For the Magpies, Alexander Isak is sidelined, and Joe Willock joins him on the injury list, with the midfielder expected to miss another month due to a calf issue. Fears over Anthony Gordon’s ankle have eased and he is expected to be available. With Elanga’s pace and Thiaw’s aerial presence, Eddie Howe has options to refresh both ends of the pitch without disrupting the side’s structure.

Aston Villa: Bizot; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; McGinn, Kamara, Tielemans; Malen, Watkins, Rogers

Newcastle : Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Barnes, Gordon, Elanga

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