Newcastle are set to launch a new £35m bid for DR Congo forward Yoane Wissa but Brentford will not sell the 28-year-old before signing a replacement. (Sun, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column
David Michael
BBC Sport Aston Villa fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesIt was Steven Gerrard that helped focus Aston Villa supporters' minds on the potential of Jacob Ramsey.
When Gerrard was Villa manager, Ramsey was 20 years old and carried the tag of being the 'one most likely' to make a big impression as a homegrown player in a post-Jack Grealish world. Regardless of Gerrard's pedigree as a manager, being one of England's greatest midfielders gave weight to his words. For Villa supporters, it was a case of game recognising game.
"He's a top talent. He is right up there, let me tell you," gushed Gerrard, before adding it was "only a matter of time" before the England Under-21 midfielder would be in the senior Three Lions set-up.
Ramsey's breakthrough season was one of few bright sparks of Gerrard's ill-fated reign. The midfielder proved himself as a rapid ball-carrier, enabling Villa to surge up the pitch with intent. He also had the welcome habit of ghosting into the box to score valuable goals.
When Unai Emery arrived, he became an integral part of an electric left-hand side that re-energised and propelled a seemingly lost team into Europe.
Under Emery, he developed further, adding creativity to his game and finishing the 2022-23 season with seven assists to go with his six goals.
Unfortunately, the past couple of campaigns of injuries have shackled Ramsey's momentum. For Villa, when fit, he became a matchday squad player rather than a guaranteed starter, and that perhaps will be his initial status at Newcastle, considering their depth on the left-hand side.
That said, Newcastle will need to rotate this season, and Ramsey proved adept in the Champions League last term, with a goal and two assists in four starts and two substitute appearances.
His ex-team-mates' support and best wishes on social media demonstrated how he was regarded at Villa Park, but such sentiment is increasingly drowned out by the blunt economic reality of PSR and wage-ratio rules.
A circa £40m transfer fee is widely regarded as excellent business - the kind of deal that makes even the romance of watching a homegrown talent flourish feel expendable.
Ramsey becomes the latest Villa academy graduate to be harvested for compliance - a transaction that might satisfy the spreadsheets but ultimately leaves die-hard supporters colder to the reality of the Premier League.
Find more from David Michael at My Old Man Said, external
Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter
We have been getting plenty of questions in from you about the Alexander Isak situation, including about where Newcastle stand given the striker is not currently being selected and training away from the rest of the squad.
Eddie Howe would love to be able to call upon one of the best strikers in the world.
But Isak remains determined to join Liverpool and continues to train away from the rest of his Newcastle United team-mates.
Howe was asked whether the Swede would be fined after Isak sat out the goalless draw against Aston Villa on the opening day and the Newcastle head coach said that "other people are dealing with that issue".
So would Newcastle have grounds?
Dan Chapman, the partner and head of employment and sports teams at Leathes Prior, said: "The club would potentially be able to fine the player if they are able to point to a breach of his obligations under his contract or, more likely, a relevant code of conduct."
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Image source, Getty ImagesAnthony Gordon spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle after Saturday's draw against Aston Villa: "It is a hard place to play and sometimes you will take a point, but with the man sent off you want to go and get the three points.
"I feel like we are progressing and you can see the togetherness as a team - that is our main strength and nothing is going to break that. Every big challenge coming at us is going to make us better.
"It has been a difficult summer but you wouldn't think that looking at us. It is a testament to the staff and all of the lads."
On starting the game as the centre-forward: "I really like it, but it's going to take getting used to. My back is to goal a lot, which you never have as a winger. When people are playing me in, that is when I can really hurt people.
"I just need to improve in certain areas and that will come with time."
Image source, Getty ImagesJacob Ramsey says "it didn't take much time" to decide whether to make the switch from Aston Villa to Newcastle once he had learned of Eddie Howe's interest.
The 24-year-old midfielder had been with Villa since the age of six and made 167 appearances for the senior side, but was ready for a new challenge.
"This is a big move for me, but as soon as I knew the gaffer was interested and really liked me, it didn't take much time to decide," Ramsey told Newcastle's club website.
"His track record of developing players, especially those who have gone on to become internationals here, speaks for itself.
"It was always a tough game playing for Villa against Newcastle - the team is full of energy, so athletic and the fans are so passionate. I feel my game will suit that and I'm excited to be on the other end of it now."
Howe said: "Jacob is another fantastic addition to our squad. His qualities will bring us something different on the pitch and he fits the profile of being young and hungry to develop, but also with a wealth of Premier League football under his belt.
"Jacob offers versatility and his directness in attack and has proven to be a real threat at this level in recent seasons.
"He performed very well in the Champions League last season too and we believe he'll be a major asset for us."
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Aston Villa and Newcastle.
Here are some of your comments:
Aston Villa fans
Phil: Disappointed with Villa. They were sluggish in midfield, poor passing and not sure Watkins' heart is in it. The most obvious thing that summed up Saturday's game was the free-kick Tielemans put in - a superb cross and not one player went for the ball and then it went out for throw in to Newcastle.
Martyn: Lousy game and nothing positive to say other than a point was a bonus. Too many players didn't turn up and Konsa's schoolboy challenge almost cost us the match. Emery knows the size of the task and I think we all have to be realistic about the season ahead.
Robin: Very disappointing. Seemed to have learned nothing during their preparation. Passing poor. I fear that they will struggle this season. Newcastle were the better team and should have won.
Leigh: A rusty performance and pedestrian transition with what seemed a lack of creativity and never seemed to be a threat. Nothing down the left side with Rogers clearly unhappy and lacking any quality. Cash and McGinn played well. Bizot was strong and decisive. A worrying start and clearly Villa are lacking a creative striker as Watkins seemed to lack vision, creating very little, but he wasn't serviced by the likes of Tielemans. I also felt a lack of atmosphere for the opening home match. On the flip side, Newcastle were equally as poor. Come on, Villa - we know you are better than this.
Roger: Flat, flat, flat - disappointing with too many players off the pace. Rogers was non-existent and there was too much gifting of possession with stray passes. Where is the creativity going to come from?
Martin: A very poor and disappointing performance. We are desperate for new full-backs. The midfield has got old, boring and has no creativity. This season will be a struggle without new faces.
Newcastle fans
Brian: The failure in the transfer market to recruit quality players is evident, it is not only the Isak situation that results in no goals for the Toon. The fault lies with the club management in all aspects and it needs to be corrected so we can have a team that can beat a 10-man opposition. The team still have a few good players but the under-performers should be moved on and quality brought in, and we need better management to do that.
Paul: Very disappointed in Elanga. We should have signed Mohammed Kudus or Antoine Semenyo instead. Season of struggle if we don't get strikers in as we are toothless without Isak.
Jason: Newcastle just showed that they would have been better prepared if they had not wasted their time, let Isak leave and brought in a replacement in time for this game. The result would have been better.
Richard: I'd have taken a point before the game but, by the end of it, I was disappointed we didn't get all three. I think we looked rusty but then so did Villa and I don't think the elephant in the room/Swede on the pitch would have necessarily meant we would have won. Yes, we created chances but I didn't come away with the impression that Isak would have been the difference here. If we can keep the intensity of the first 35 minutes up for the whole game then I think we can still give anyone a game. That said, a new striker or two would be very nice.
John: I thought Newcastle were excellent. Villa is never an easy gig for us, and with all the negative noise around the club at the moment, the performance was all the more impressive. We could have had two or three goals in the first half but, overall, I'm happy with a point. Credit to Eddie and the lads.
Bryan: Reasonable all-round performance but, as expected, we are definitely missing a striker. Don't understand why we bring on the only recognised striker with only minutes to play. Gordon will never be a striker. Another excellent display from Dan Burn.
Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter
With Alexander Isak remaining determined to join Liverpool, the Sweden international would have a lot of bridges to rebuild if he was to ever represent Newcastle again.
"You've got a guy who's on £100k-a-week-plus not playing, and you've got the normal fan paying £60 to £70 for a ticket every week expecting him to be in the team," the Magpies' all-time leading scorer Alan Shearer told BBC 5 Live.
"That is why it hurts them so much.
"There is no loyalty [in football] - clubs look after themselves and players look after themselves, but there's a way of doing things. The way that Alex is doing this at the moment is not the right way.
"Liverpool have got into his agent and to offer £110m is rather belittling when you have midfielders going for £105m. They know they aren't going to get Isak for £110m.
"You've got a guy who played a huge part in one of Newcastle's best seasons ever, winning the club's first trophy for 70 years, qualifying again for the Champions League. Yet with three years left on his contract he says he doesn't want to play here any more."
Newcastle head coach Howe said the away end were "very free" to make their feelings known about the player after the game, but he stressed in the same post-match news conference that the door remains open for Isak to be reintegrated.
He reiterated that it is down to Isak to "decide what he wants to do" as the striker continues to train away from the group.
Howe ideally wants a swift resolution - and understandably so.
Pundits Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's opening Premier League fixtures.
And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesOpening-day fixtures do not come much tougher.
A trip to a fortress like Villa Park was challenging enough for Newcastle. That task became even more difficult without a recognised striker.
There is no doubt that Alexander Isak's determination to join Liverpool has overshadowed Newcastle's preparations for the new season.
But, rather than use that as an excuse, Eddie Howe said his players knew that they "had to step up and give more".
Their effort and commitment certainly could not be questioned against Aston Villa.
For all the pre-match talk about a player who wants to leave Newcastle, it was quickly apparent that this group are together.
There were double high fives and a team huddle before the game, and a clear message was sent: Newcastle were united without their talisman.
The Magpies played like a team and locked Villa out and dominated possession in the first half. But it was rather telling that a grimacing Howe had his hands on his head at various points.
Having seen Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon spurn decent openings, the head coach knew his side had to be more ruthless after the break.
The pair went on to link up midway through the second half after Elanga sent Gordon racing clear and a panicked Ezri Konsa pulled the forward back.
But Newcastle could not make that man advantage count after Konsa was sent off.
The club's need for a goalscorer is clear - regardless of what happens with Isak in the final couple of weeks of the window.
Image source, Getty ImagesNewcastle United drew 0-0 away to Aston Villa on Saturday in their opening game of the Premier League season and manager Eddie Howe believes his players 'gave everything'.
"I'm happy with the point. I thought we were magnificent, front-foot, very aggressive. We had chances to score," Howe told BBC Match of the Day.
"I think we had a bit of a lull in the game until the red card and then came on strong again. I'm disappointed we didn't win. I don't think we dominated, chance-wise, the way we wanted. We were maybe a little bit too anxious to score but the players really turned up and gave everything."
On needing a striker: "I can't criticise anyone who played today. I thought Anthony Gordon was very good in that position. I couldn't fault his performance. I think we have to focus at how the team functioned rather than any individual.
"If you're not totally together in the Premier League, you're going to find it very difficult. I think we answered a few questions today in terms of our spirit. We have to do that on a regular basis, not just today."
On Alexander Isak: "From my perspective, you want a resolution quickly. It's taking away the focus of the players, of the supporters. We want to be united together. We'd like a resolution, but we're not in control of that."
He added, speaking to TNT Sports: "It's a difficult one to answer. I hope it's resolved quickly, because it's news around us all the time. Players have managed to shut that out and perform. We have to continue to do that. We have to cope without the narrative against us."
On facing Liverpool next: "It's always spicy against Liverpool, there's a history to the fixture. We look forward to it. We know how good they are."
On Anthony Elanga: "He was really good. I thought he was direct, showed real quality. He looks like a player who will elevate us."
Image source, Getty ImagesNewcastle have failed to win any of their last six Premier League games without Alexander Isak (D4 L2), failing to score in each of their last four, despite having 75 shots (9.4 xG) across those six matches.
Moreover, Newcastle have also failed to score in their opening fixture in 13 Premier League seasons, the most such blanks of any side in the competition's history.
Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Aston Villa's performance
What did you make of Newcastle's display?
Come back to this page on Sunday to find a selection of your replies
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez is suspended after his red card in the final day defeat at Manchester United, which cost Villa a Champions League spot.
It means Marco Bizot, a summer signing from Brest, makes his debut in goal but he is the only new signing to start.
New striker Evann Guessand, a £26m signing from Rennes, starts on the bench.
Aston Villa XI: Bizot, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, Onana, McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers, Watkins.
Subs: Torres, Maatsen, Bogarde, Buendia, Malen, Jimoh-Alboba, Iling-Junior, Guessand, Wright
Newcastle start the season without star man Alexander Isak as his transfer saga continues with the striker still trying to force a move to Liverpool.
Anthony Elanga makes his debut after a £55m move from Nottingham Forest while new arrivals Malik Thiaw and Aaron Ramsdale are on the bench.
Anthony Gordon will lead the line in Isak's absence.
Newcastle XI: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Tonali, Joelinton, Guimaraes, Barnes, Gordon, Elanga.
Subs: Hall, Botman, Thiaw, Krafth, Osula, Murphy, Seung-soo, Miley, Ramsdale
Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.
Aston Villa v Newcastle (12:30)
Brighton v Fulham
Sunderland v West Ham - BBC Radio 5 Live
Tottenham v Burnley - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Wolves v Manchester City (17:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live
All kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated
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
Speaking to BBC Sport's Ben Croucher, former Premier League striker Jermaine Beckford says Alexander Isak will be able to reintegrate with the dressing room should the striker remain at Newcastle beyond the summer transfer window.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe have looked into the age profile of Newcastle'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.
We can see youthful faces have joined the group, with the likes of Callum Wilson departing with all of his experience. How the younger faces adapt will be key, as will player availability. Key names were able to feature heavily last season - amassing over 50% of club minutes - and this is crucial. Take a look at Tottenham's chart and you can see countless significant names in the lower half of the chart given their lack of availability.
So can the Magpies keep people fit and healthy? And will youth remain the order of the day when it comes to transfers?
