Aston Villa

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

BBC Sport explores some of the major talking points surrounding the opening day fixture between Unai Emery's Aston Villa and Eddie Howe's Newcastle United, with both clubs experiencing a turbulent pre-season.

Only goal difference separated these sides in 2024-25, with Newcastle returning to the Champions League by finishing fifth and denying Aston Villa the chance to repeat their run to last season's quarter-finals. But the two clubs to disrupt the established order in recent years have struggled to build on their success this summer.

Villa were fined £9.5m by Uefa in July for breaching the European governing body's financial rules last season, including spending more than the permitted 80% of income on player wages. Reports suggest they have also sold their women's team to parent company V Sports to comply with the Premier League's profitability and sustainability regulations (PSR).

"There are rules which are pretty much unfair if you ask me," said Villa captain John McGinn when asked about PSR earlier this month. "We have got owners who want to invest in the team and want to spend to kick the club on, but they are not allowed to do it."

Forward Evann Guessand is Villa's only major signing for an initial £26m and key midfielder Boubacar Kamara has signed a new contract, but there were no significant outgoings until the imminent £40m sale to Newcastle of boyhood Villa fan Jacob Ramsey.

This is Unai Emery's sixth transfer window since he took charge in November 2022 and in that time Villa's net spend is negative, with the club £10.7m in profit once Ramsey's departure is accounted for. By comparison, Chelsea's net spend in that same timeframe totals more than half a billion.

Newcastle have also endured a turbulent summer with a string of failed bids for high-profile players.

To make matters worse, star striker Alexander Isak is reportedly attempting to force through a move to Liverpool. The Magpies rejected a £110m bid for the Swede who will not feature this weekend.

Isak scored 23 times and provided six assists in last season's Premier League and was directly involved in more than 40% of the club's total league goals, scoring 33.85% of them.

Replacing his output will be a tough ask as no other Newcastle player reached doubles figures for league goals last season. The nearest was winger Harvey Barnes with nine.

The Magpies have at least strengthened their squad with the additions of winger Anthony Elanga, 23, and centre-back Malick Thiaw, 24, plus a loan deal for goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. Despite the new additions, Eddie Howe's side face a tricky opener and have lost five of their last six visits to Villa Park.

Aston Villa ended the season on a 21-match unbeaten home streak across all competitions (W15, D6), their longest since a run of 24 games between September 1976 and May 1977. However, they were thrashed 5-1 by Newcastle when the sides last met on the opening day, at St James' Park just two years ago.

Newcastle's big problem is Alexander Isak, who surely won't be involved while his future is being resolved.

That means they are without one of the Premier League's best strikers and Anthony Gordon will probably play as a false nine, which is not ideal.

Villa have their own issues and they must be struggling to comply with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules (PSR) because there has been a lot of talk of Ollie Watkins leaving this summer - they have signed another striker, Evann Guessand, but they definitely need to keep hold of Watkins too.

This is a hard one to call because, despite all the doom and gloom surrounding Newcastle, they are still a strong and exciting side.

But Villa are at home and we know how dangerous they are under Unai Emery, so I'm going to back them to edge this and pile on the misery for Newcastle.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Alex Fletcher
BBC Sport journalist

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Newcastle United at Villa Park (kick-off 12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Emery confirmed that Jacob Ramsey is "not with the squad" ahead of his impending move to tomorrow's opponents.

• Despite securing Europa League football last season, Emery believes Villa "are not contenders to finish in the top seven".

• He added: "We are starting more or less like when I arrived here. Of course we have the capacity to build a strong team, but not with the same budget [as the big clubs]. We have to be competitive with our players and keep working hard as well as staying motivated."

• He said that a trophy would be "the next step forward" for Aston Villa but put his emphasis on qualifying for European football: "Always I am thinking the more matches we play, the more we can improve. Next year I will want to play in Europe again, and try to push for the Champions League."

• On the restrictions caused by PSR: "I am not frustrated. I accept the rules. I accept where we are and how we are competing and our capacity to compete. We have to be proud of what we have done so far and we have to do it again and again. I am motivated and excited, not frustrated."

• On facing Newcastle: "It will be very difficult. They have a very good structure tactically and they are a strong team that wins a lot of duels. We are playing at home and hopefully our supporters will push us. We have to be intelligent and to adapt to the way they play tactically."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Jacob Ramsey leaving Villa Park in a £40m deal to Newcastle.

Here are some of your comments:

Paul: I would have preferred to keep him too as he is a raw talent who on his day is better than most in my opinion. His ability to carry the ball and see passes others don't will be massive for Newcastle. Good luck Ramsey!

Anthony: I really like Ramsey. I think he gives something a bit different to other players on that side. He had a great season a couple of years ago, but he's had a few injuries and not really got back to those heights. It's a harsh reality that we need to sell players and Ramsey is an obvious choice. I hope we have someone else coming in, with him and potentially Leon Bailey going. In Unai we trust!

Brian: Selling Ramsey is a big mistake. He has the potential to to be one of the best English players in recent years and to sell to a Premier League rival is crackers.

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Richard: Honestly? I'm OK with this. He's a great player, but 40m is a good price at a time when we need income. Last season, we played just as well without him as with him, and he's not an impact sub. He's a squad player at this stage.

Paul: A tough one, and also puzzling really. A player who had good moments but too often injured since his broken foot for the under-21s. Not a regular starter so feeling is we've done well to get that price. Not sure where Newcastle are going to play him, and if he would actually start either. Seems a bit of a panic buy for them. I could understand interest from West Ham but he would be too good for them. History will tell if PSR forced Villa into a mistake.

Jason: Not disappointed with this sale at all. Newcastle think they're getting Ramsey from two years ago. Great bit of business for Villa.

Ian: So disappointed to see him go. Has the profile in age and ability that fits what I would like to see coming to the club, not leaving. Only consolation is that he is going to a club with great set of fans and a talented manager under whom he can continue to progress.

We have looked into the age profile of Aston Villa's players for the 2025-26 season and recorded what percentage of minutes each of them played last campaign.

For the purpose of this exercise, we have deemed those under 24 as youth, between 24 and 30 as in their peak years and anyone over 30 to be a veteran.

The green represents new signings, who naturally did not play, red are those that have since left the club and yellow are all those that remain.

Aston Villa had seven players over 30 last season but the majority of their squad was aged between 24 and 30 years old and arguably in their peak - including Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi who have since returned to their parent clubs.

The graphic shows the vast majority of Villa's squad are between 24 and 30 years old, including new signing Evann Guessand.

But the club have also invested in two players in the January and summer transfer window that are under 24. Perhaps this indicates some succession planning by Unai Emery as veteran players such as Ross Barkley and Tyrone Mings are not always fit.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The sale of Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle is a deal Aston Villa and Unai Emery would have preferred not to have done in an ideal world.

However, this is not that world but one in which teams must abide by profit and sustainability rules - and finances are tight at Villa Park.

A youth product like Ramsey would always be an asset to sell to generate pure profit and £40m will undoubtedly help Villa comply with the rules.

It was the same last year when they had to sell Douglas Luiz despite qualifying for the Champions League.

It would be churlish to call Villa purely a selling club now, but they are not immune to financial pressures, as has been obvious over the past 18 months, and the failure to reach the Champions League this season will naturally have an effect.

Emery was a fan of Ramsey - he would have liked to have kept him - but the manager is living in reality. He knows the landscape Villa must navigate, even if it may seem rocky.

Striker Evann Guessand has joined from Nice and there are likely to be more arrivals, perhaps even the return of Marco Asensio after his successful loan last season, but Villa must continue to out-think the bigger spenders.

What do you make of Ramsey leaving Villa Park?

Tell us here

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has offered up his annual predictions:

5) Aston Villa

Last season: Sixth

They missed out on Champions League football on the final day of last season but I fully expect them to be at the sharp end of the Premier League once more under the outstanding guidance of Unai Emery.

Much will depend on the remainder of the transfer window, with Morgan Rogers a key figure. All overtures made towards him will be resisted by Villa, though there has also been speculation surrounding England striker Ollie Watkins. Local boy Jacob Ramsey may yet leave for Newcastle United - offering Emery funds for other incomings.

The loan spells of Marcus Rashford and Marcus Asensio have ended - though the latter may return - and it will be interesting to see how Emery utilises Ivory Coast international Evann Guessand - the new £30m forward signed from Nice.

Read the full piece

Roma are in talks with Aston Villa over a deal for Leon Bailey but have yet to make a formal bid for the 28-year-old Jamaica winger, who is also attracting interest from Besiktas and Saudi Pro League clubs. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Have you got a question about Aston Villa or is there a topic you want more information on? Have you spotted a theme or trend that needs further investigation?

Well, this season we're making it easier for you to get in touch and ask - and we will do our best to use our expertise here at BBC Sport to give you direct answers.

Our team can call upon a network of contacts - including our reporters, pundits and other experts - to find out everything you need to know.

No question is too big or too small, so fire away using the link below and we will answer the best of them throughout the campaign.

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Former Aston Villa winger Stephen Froggatt believes that Unai Emery has to win a trophy this season to ensure this side is considered to be great.

Froggatt was part of the Villa squad that won the League Cup in 1994, beating Manchester United in the final.

While Froggatt believes the current team is better than the side he was part of, he thinks the lack of silverware is holding them back.

"Well, Unai Emery has won stuff at other clubs before," Froggatt said on BBC Radio WM. "We know his pedigree and what he can do.

" I remember the teams that I played with in 1992, 1993 and 1994, that came runners-up in the Premier League, and won the cup final. That was a great team.

"Did we have as good a squad as we have got today? No. That's because they have got a extra player in every position around the pitch, but we had a fantastic starting XI.

"You look at the team now - they have been excellent, brilliant in the Champions League and really good to watch. But to be considered a truly great side, you have to win something."

Aston Villa are hoping to re-sign Marco Asensio from Paris St-Germain following the 29-year-old Spain midfielder's successful loan spell last season. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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David Michael
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

For Aston Villa supporters, with Unai Emery at the helm, new season hope is no longer anchored in blind faith.

After narrowly missing out on consecutive Champions League qualifications on goal difference, and being constrained by Uefa's football earnings rules, fans will be reassured that the summer transfer rumour hurricane - swirling around Emi Martinez, Ollie Watkins and Boubacar Kamara - ended with all three still in claret and blue.

With the team's spine still intact after Villa's final pre-season game, Watkins declared: "We've got big targets for the season."

On a personal level, the striker will be desperate to finally surpass 20 league goals in a season - a milestone that will be pivotal in Villa's ultimate goal of reclaiming a Champions League spot. Villa are also on an 18-game unbeaten league run at Villa Park, and that is a record they will be eager to extend deep into the campaign to form the backbone of their challenge.

Last season, the forward line underperformed in the first half, compounding any defensive lapses and compromising Villa's final position, despite loanees Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio inspiring a strong finish. This time, a fully fit Watkins, a developing Morgan Rogers and the arrival of versatile forward Evann Guessand are expected to bring greater consistency up front.

In Europe, Villa will be confident of reaching the Europa League knockout stages while rotating through the league phase. That lighter early workload, compared with the Champions League's intensity faced by six Premier League rivals, could aid their domestic push - making a strong first half of the league campaign crucial.

Still, there are concerns. The Champions League six have strengthened, and Manchester United have also splashed the cash.

This feels like a sliding-doors season - a chance to reassert Villa among England's elite and end a 30-year domestic cup drought, or leave them at risk of slipping back into the also-rans' bracket.

Find more from David Michael at My Old Man Said, external

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As Aston Villa start the season at home to Newcastle on Saturday we asked you if they are ready for the new campaign.

Here's what you said:

Josh: Looking forward to the season. Expecting more goals across the frontline with the likes of Malen, Guessand, Ramsey and Rogers all looking potent. With a full pre-season behind him, Watkins means business. However, we need to address the lack of depth in defence if we want to compete.

Will: Are Villa ready? I would say a resounding yes. Fans of all clubs want to see new signings during the transfer windows - although, for me, the new contracts signed by Kamara and Digne are vital, along with Evann Guessand, who looks a steal. I'm sure there will be a couple more but my feeling is that a more compact and reliable squad without too many additions will work to our benefit in the league, Europe and the domestic cup competitions.

Prit: It was good to see Villa put in a very good performance against a very strong Villarreal, especially after the 'battle of Marseille'. But what this pre-season has demonstrated is a crying need for new defenders. With the exception of Konsa, we probably need to look right across the back four for strength in depth. I think Villa should consider PSG's goalkeeper Donnarumma. I'm still not convinced Martinez wants to stay so why not see if Donnarumma would be interested?

Ian: Delighted we have signed another striker. I still think we need cover at centre-back but it looks like Bogarde will be that option. Another front wideman would be welcome. Looking at our first six fixtures, we have a good chance to get off to a good start, which would hopefully set us up for another strong season. Feeling fairly confident.

Cassie: It's going to be a long season for Villa, not only in the league, but playing Thursday night football. It will test the strength of our mediocre squad. Will Watkins move on to another club? If he does, Emery will be under a lot of pressure to bring in another top-class player. Have a feeling that Villa will finish outside the top 10 this season.

Pre-season is completed and the countdown to the 2025-26 season is on.

It's been quite a quiet summer at Villa Park but the signing of Evann Guessand brings some extra firepower to Unai Emery's side.

Villa start the season at home to Newcastle on Saturday - but are they ready?

Get in touch

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa wrapped up their pre-season preparations with a 2-0 win over Villarreal at the Estadio de la Ceramica on Sunday night. Just over 24 hours after facing Marseille in France, Unai Emery returned to his former club and saw his side secure victory thanks to goals from Ollie Watkins and Emi Buendia.

Watkins struck in the 23rd minute, reacting quickest to a rebound from Buendia's effort, before the Argentine midfielder doubled the lead early in the second half with a crisp finish from the edge of the box.

Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez was in fine form, producing a string of excellent saves to deny the Spanish side.

Buendia could have added a second to his tally when substitute Evann Guessand set him up, but Villarreal's defence stood firm.

The result means Villa picked up three wins, two draws and three defeats from their summer friendlies before their Premier League opener at home to Newcastle United on Saturday.

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa lost 3-1 to Marseille in their penultimate pre-season match at the Stade Velodrome on Saturday.

John McGinn equalised for Villa after the hosts took the lead early on but former Arsenal striker Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang scored twice after the break to secure victory.

This was Villa's third defeat in seven pre-season matches, of which they have won two and drawn two.

Villa now travel to Spain face Villarreal in their final pre-season match on Sunday before their Premier League campaign gets underway against Newcastle next weekend (Sat, 12:30 BST).