‘Moment’s applause for Ozzy’
Lovely moment inside Villa Park before kick-off as there’s roaring cheers and a period of applause for Ozzy Osbourne, the rock legend and Villa fan. Ozzy played his final homecoming gig here recently
Kick-off closing in
Guys, we are nearly there.
If you weren’t already excited for this game, you surely must be now. There are less than 10 minutes until kick off.
The warm-ups are complete and the Villa players have just been applauded in by their fans, who seem well up for this game.
It’s going to be a cracking atmosphere come kick-off.
Konsa: ‘We want to continue home form’
Ezri Konsa, Aston Villa defender, on TNT Sports:
It is always nice when you play at home for the first game – we knew how good we were last season at home, so we want to continue that.
Earlier on in the season last year we dropped some key points, but things happened. It is a new season, and we want to continue what we’re building here and continue growing.
Same aim as last season: stay up there with the big buys. We want to get Champions League football again. We will focus on today’s game and take it game by game.
Bogey ground for Magpies
I suspect that the Newcastle fans inside Villa Park won’t be the most confident right now.
Why is that?
Well, on most occasions when they have visited Aston Villa’s famous ground recently, they have come away with nowt.
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.
Can they bag a rare win today?
Emery: ‘We are very happy’
Unai Emery, Aston Villa boss, speaking to TNT Sports:
Good afternoon, we are so excited about the new season, and we are starting at Villa Park with our supporters.
Of course, we are very happy with how we are building the team. We are in the transfer window, and we have to try separate when we are involved in the window.
We are so focused on preparing for this match now. The players are ready. Here at Villa Park, we can get our fortress strong again.
Lots of love for Ozzy
All aboard!
This is the first Premier League match at Villa Park since the death of Black Sabbath lead singer, and rock music legend, Ozzy Osbourne.
Only six weeks ago, the legend was belting out Crazy Train in front of a sell-out crowd at his favourite stadium.
I’m sure we will hear that track at some point today.
‘Isak expected to be fined’
There is no Alexander Isak, as expected. And I understand his absence today will incur a club fine. Maybe Newcastle can put that saving towards the fund for an Isak replacement?! I don’t think the Swede would complain if they did!
‘Isak absence a huge blow for Newcastle’
Wayne Rooney, former Man United striker, on BBC Sport:
I think it is a huge blow. Over the last few years Newcastle have done everything right, they have not gone over PSR rules, they have done everything within the rules, but for Isak to leave, if that happens it would be a massive setback.
They are trying to build a squad that is ready to compete for the Premier League and in the Champions League as well and if Isak leaves players will look at that and think. ‘If the best players are leaving, is that somewhere I want to go?’
Howe: ‘Isak situation no different’
Eddie Howe, Newcastle boss, speaking to TNT Sports about Alexander Isak:
No different to how it has been for a number of weeks. We are without him [Alexander Isak]. We are adapting to that and still trying to be competitive. Today will be a big test for us.
We feel in good spirits. It is a strong team he [Unai Emery] picks, so hopefully we go well. We believe in the team we have picked today. There have been distractions through pre-season, but that’s been for me, and not the players.
Now is not the time to discuss that (whether he feels let down). All my emotions are towards this game. This is a tough place to come. We have got to be there mentally, me included.
Isak saga continues
OK, let’s talk about it.
The fact that the Alexander Isak saga is still going on is almost getting a bit jarring; it feels like it’s been going on forever, and there is no conclusion in sight.
Isak says he will never play for Newcastle again, but the Magpies refuse to let him go.
It’s what we call a Mexican stand-off.
Has he played his last game in black and white? Maybe he has, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he will get his move to Liverpool this summer.
What I will say, though, is that Eddie Howe really needs a new striker, looking at that team today.
Anthony Gordon is not the long-term solution.
Newcastle Team News – Gordon STARTS
Here is the confirmation.
Anthony Gordon will indeed start up front, with new signing Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes starting on either side of him.
Latest summer signing Malick Thiaw is on the bench, while there is no return to Villa Park for incoming Jacob Ramsey just yet, as he is yet to be confirmed as a Newcastle player.
Aston Villa Team News – Bizot STARTS
I won’t make you wait any longer.
You may notice that there is no Emi Martinez in between the sticks for Aston Villa, and that’s because he is suspended for picking up a red card at the back end of last season.
So, Marco Bizot starts in goal.
Other than that, it’s pretty much the same team that we saw play week in, week out, last season.
Gordon gets new role
The team news is out.
If you know me, I love to tease a bit of team news now and then before giving you the full spiel. Mean? Yes. Necessary? Double yes.
I will give you a little nugget of information before posting the full team news, though.
Unless you have been living under a rock, you will know that Alexander Isak is nowhere near the Newcastle first team as he continues to throw a hissy fit to get a move away from the club.
So, today, Anthony Gordon will fill in for him up top.
What’s in store?
Before we get tucked into the build-up, I reckon it would be a good idea to give you teh schedule of the day.
To say it’s action-packed is an understatement; be prepared to be locked into your phone and/or your TV all day.
Here is today’s schedule:
- Aston Villa vs Newcastle, 12:30 BST
- Brighton vs Fulham, 15:00 BST
- Sunderland vs West Ham, 15:00 BST
- Tottenham vs Burnley, 15:00 BST
- Wolves vs Manchester City, 17:30 BST
The morning after the night before
By Harry Bamforth
Right, shall we rewind back to last night for a sec?
That was one hell of a match to open the new Premier League season.
Six goals, a comeback, and a late winner leading to incredible limbs. The top flight is well and truly back, and you just love to see it.
Liverpool looked like they were cruising to an opening-day win when new striker Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring, and then Cody Gakpo added a second.
But then Antoine Semenyo, who showed his bravery to even still be on the pitch after he was allegedly racially abused by a fan, bagged a brace to complete an incredible fightback for Bournemouth.
It looked like the Cherries were on their way to a famous draw, but then Federico Chiesa truly became a Kopite.
The Italian winger came off the bench to win the match with just two minutes to go, sending Anfield into a frenzy, before Mohamed Salah added polish to the result with a stoppage-time strike.
Much of the night has been overshadowed by the report of racial abuse toward Semenyo, which is a shame, and now the police are conducting an investigation into the incident.
Let’s hope it is sorted and that Semenyo is OK.
Super Saturday is back
By Harry Bamforth
Oh yes, we’re back, baby!
I am only just recovering from yesterday, after what was one hell of an opening night. Does anybody else still have the Federico Chiesa song stuck in their head?
You can hear them crying…
Anyway, I need to stop and move on. The first Saturday of the Premier League season and it starts with a belter of a match.
Aston Villa and Newcastle are two teams who have broken up the big boys toward the top of the league in the last few seasons, and this lunchtime they face off at Villa Park.
Expect a belter of a 90 minutes. I am.
The fans are flocking in, the players are here, and everything is ready to go. So, shall we get cracking?
Yes, we shall.
