Key occasions
Newcastle’s bench: It’s most likely price giving a shout-out to William Osula, who can also be among the many Newcastle substitutes and an precise striker by commerce. It appears he has but to persuade Eddie Howe that he’s a “professional goal-scoring choice” however he would possibly get one other likelihood to impress later within the recreation. The Dane solely scored two objectives for Newcastle final season however acquired three for his nation on this summer time’s European U-21 Championships.
Some correspondence from Down Underneath: “Wonderful response from the gamers to all of the exterior noise about Isak,” writes Chris Paraskevas in Western Sydney. “We might have actually used a purpose from Elanga and I concern Villa will get the possibility to regroup (unsure what they have been enjoying at). Who’re Howe’s professional goal-scoring choices off the bench? Just about solely Jacob Murphy. If we lose tonight, you possibly can hardly blame Eddie Howe – he’s set Newcastle up completely.”
An e mail: “While there’s little question that Isak is a good striker, he’s additionally fairly streaky (see Aug-Oct and April-Might final season for reference) and regularly not within the temper, so seeing him miss massive possibilities isn’t a rarity,” writes Adam Berry. “I believe getting a superb charge for him and spending it on two confirmed strikers will drop our ceiling but additionally massively elevate our ground over a probably torpid Isak and a crocked Wilson.”
Half-time: Aston Villa 0-0 Newcastle
It’s all sq. on the break. However make no mistake, Newcastle have been the vastly superior crew. They need to have taken an early lead when Anthony Elanga was performed in behind the house defence however the debutant was denied by a splendid save by Marco Bizot, who’s enjoying his first recreation for Villa. Elanga went on to grab at one other wonderful alternative, whereas Anthony Gordon ought to have completed a lot better after getting on the tip of an inch-perfect Harvey Barnes cross. Villa have supplied comparatively little and might think about themselves very lucky to not be behind.
45 min: Joelinton will get booked for a decidedly sturdy sort out on Amadou Onana. He can don’t have any complaints and takes his licks with out remark or protest. It’s half-time.
44 min: Newcastle stay in agency management of this recreation as we method half-time however the impasse stays intact. McGinn wins the ball in midfiedl and surges ahead however has no one up in assist aside from Watkins. The Scot is unable to select the Villa striker.
42 min: The barbers of Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton have been making use of it liberally too, which is making issues a mite harder than they should be in the case of figuring out tough-tackling Newcastle ball-winners.
40 min: It’s Rogers whose hairdresser has been enjoying quick and unfastened with the peroxide, simply in case you’re pondering.
39 min: Digne and Rogers mix down the left flank however the bottle-blond Villa man is dispossessed by Fabian Schar.
37 min: One other lengthy throw from Lucas Digne. Pope comes off his line to say the ball comfortably regardless of the hulking close by presence of Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa.
35 min: Villa’s important tactic, reminiscent of it’s, appears to be enjoying lengthy balls in behind Kieran Trippier for Ollie Watkins to chase. I suppose it’s a good suggestion in principle however most deliveries thus far have been hideously overhit and invariably find yourself on the toes or within the palms of Nick Pope.
32 min: Dan Burn will get again to clear an Ollie Watkins pull-back from the byline, placing a cease to a promising Aston Villa transfer that started with what seemed suspiciously like a Matty Money foul on – I believe – Gordon on the different finish of the pitch.
31 min: If something, Clive, the boy Elanga is making an attempt too onerous.
29 min: It’s early days however Anthony Elanga is having a debut to overlook for Newcastle. Working on to a superb curled move down the touchline from Kieran Trippier, he permits the ball to clank off his shins and exit for a throw-in regardless of being in acres of house. Aston Villa’s followers greet his newest misadventure with a raucous cheer.
28 min: Bruno Guimaraes snaps right into a sort out in midfield and wins the ball. It’s performed ahead in direction of Anthony Gordon however Tyrone Mings will get throughout to cowl earlier than the Newcastle ahead can get a sight on purpose.
26 min: Lucas Digne takes a throw-in of his personal and hoys the ball in direction of the close to put up, the place Dan Burn thumps it clear with a meaty header.
22 min: Underneath strain from a ferocious Newcastle press, Lucas Digne surveys his choices and decides the choose of them is to only welly the ball into the stand for a Newcastle throw-in deep in Villa territory. His aspect are severely underneath the collective Geordie cosh.
20 min: Newcastle proceed to pile on the strain however a Livramento cross from the left is plucked from the air by Bizot. Eddie Howe’s aspect may be the guests however are enjoying like they’re at residence and with higher ending could be not less than two objectives up.
19 min: Anthony Gordon chases a via ball from deep in direction of the Villa penalty space however is overwhelmed to it by Bizot, who gathers comfortably.
15 min: It’s been an entertaining recreation thus far however the choose of the probabilities, certainly the one possibilities, have fallen to Newcastle. From exterior the penalty space, Anthony Gordon shoots via a thicket of our bodies and his effort takes a deflection off Matty Money and is helped out for a nook by Marco Bizot. Nothing comes of the set-piece.
11 min: Barnes’s cross from the left is simply too excessive for Gordon however Elanga is lurking behind him and catches the ball on the volley from eight yards out. He slashes wildly at it and fails to hit the goal. Newcastle’s new signing is clearly determined to impress however wants to point out extra composure.
10 min: Joelinton will get on the ball and combines with Tino Livramento down the left. Harvey Barnes takes up possession and curls a pleasant cross in direction of the far put up. Having peeled away from Tyrone Mings, Anthony Gordon sends his header over the bar. He ought to have hit the goal and Newcastle have now squandered two glorious alternatives that one suspects a sure Swede would have put away in his sleep.
7 min: Newcastle efficiently defend a Villa nook and break upfield. Bizot does properly to forestall a deflected Anthony Gordon shot from going out for a nook for the guests. The Dutch goalkeeper has had a dream begin to his Premier League debut.
5 min: Harvey Barnes feels he ought to have had a penalty after getting shoved within the penalty field after that missed effort by Elanga. I’m inclined to suppose he might need had a case however within the Stockley Park VAR bunker, Peter Bankes disagrees.
2 min: John McGinn goes arse-over-tit on the cinder monitor past the touchline whereas making an attempt to forestall the ball in play and bursts out laughing when the gang cheer. The smile is wiped off his face when, moments later, Anthony Elanga finds himself via on purpose with the ball at his toes. His shot is saved brilliantly by Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot and within the ensuing scramble, Newcastle have a penalty shout turned down. Extra on that anon.
Aston Villa v Newcastle United is go …
1 min: Newcastle kick-off, their gamers carrying inexperienced shirts, white shorts and inexperienced socks. Taking a leaf out of the Paris Saint-Germain handbook, they instantly boot the ball into contact down by the nook flag however are unable to win it again from the Villa throw-in.
A minute’s silence: There’s one other pre-match tribute, this time in reminiscence of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who additionally misplaced their lives in tragic circumstances this summer time. Unsurprisingly, the silence is completely noticed.
Not lengthy now: Aston Villa’s walk-out music could have a particular poignancy this afternoon. John McGinn leads the troops out to the monster riffola of Ozzy Osbourne’s Loopy Prepare and pre-match tribute has already been paid to the late Godfather of Metallic and Black Sabbath frontman, who handed away a couple of weeks in the past on the age of 76. Bruno Guimaraes wears the captain’s armband for Newcastle and kick-off is only a few minutes away.
Sandro Tonali: Newcastle’s Italian midfielder appears to be like combating match and in an excellent temper as he makes his means again to the dressing-room following his warm-up having amusing and a joke with Tino Livramento. En path to the tunnel, he goes out of his method to excessive 5 a number of younger Villa followers.
Some correspondence: “As a beforehand pessimistic Toon fan, our beginning XI appears to be like very balanced, regular on the again and center and hopefully enterprising sufficient up entrance with out Isak,” writes Jeremy Keady. “Unsure about our depth for immediately or certainly the approaching months, however a degree right here could be nice, contemplating our subsequent match (Liverpool at residence) and tough first six matches (Villa, Liverpool, Leeds away, Wolves at residence, Bournemouth away and Arsenal at residence).”
And for steadiness: “Villa fan right here,” writes Karl Ruben Weseth. “I used to be a bit baffled by the aggregated Guardian prediction that we’d end fifth as properly. I’ve seen quite a lot of evaluation from numerous writers pointing in direction of Villa’s squad being settled as a giant plus, however to me, the best way Emery wasn’t in a position to crack Glasner’s Palace on the fourth time of asking final season made me concern that he’d hit his ceiling with the membership.
“The way in which he then went on to make quite a lot of related errors in the best way he approached the Man Utd season-ender a few weeks later solely stoked that concern. These have been arguably the 2 most essential single fixtures final season, and Emery gave each of them away with a confoundingly timid method. I nonetheless suppose he’s an incredible coach, however my cautiously pessimistic hunch is that this season will see a little bit of a regression to mid-table for the Villa.”
Newcastle: Dan “Huge Dan Durn” Burn has been speaking to TNT Sports activities forward of his warm-up and says he’s happy with how pre-season has gone at Newcastle regardless of the “exterior noise” that’s surrounded the membership. “We’re ranging from zero once more, we’ve acquired quite a bit to show and we’re able to go,” he says.
Requested if the noise in query might need introduced the group of footballers who’re truly pleased to play for Newcatle nearer collectively, he has this to say: “I believe so. I discussed the exterior noise however we’ve acquired fairly a tight-knit group and we simply get on with it. We’ve had 4 or 5 weeks now with out Alex and for us he’s clearly not concerned in the mean time however we’ve acquired gamers who have to step up and contribute with the objectives.”
Aston Villa: Youri Tielemans will make his one centesimal look for Aston Villa this afternoon and as he ready to mark his century the Belgian sat down for an unique interview with our personal Ben Fisher to debate life, the universe and his dedication to assist finish Aston Villa’s 30-year trophy drought.
Aston Villa: Opposite to Unai Emery’s pessimistic view, our writers have predicted a fifth place end for Aston Villa come season’s finish. I wish to distance myself from the collective Guardian hive thoughts as a result of in line with my crystal ball they’ll be ending ninth.
Newcastle United: In case you’d requested me on the finish of final season, I’d have predicted that Newcastle would spend massive and properly this summer time, and probably be within the title race this time round. After the summer time they’ve had, I’m extra of a thoughts that they’ll to do properly to complete within the prime 10. The Guardian Sport collective has them larger up in seventh place.
At present’s match officers
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Referee: Craig Pawson.
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Referee’s assistants: Constantine Hatzidakis and Nick Hopton.
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Fourth official: Simon Hooper.
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VAR: Peter Bankes.
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Assistant VAR: Tim Robinson.
These groups: With Emi Martinez suspended, Dutch goalkeeper Marco Bizot is available in for his Villa debut after be part of ing the membership from Brest. New signing Evann Guessand is on the bench, whereas the inclusion of Donyell Malen among the many Villa substitutes is a little bit of a shock as he’s reported to have been in sensational kind throughout pre-season.
Newcastle are with out Joe Willock, who has been dominated out of immediately’s proceedings with a calf harm, whereas petulance’s Alexander Isak is clearly not concerned. Aaron Ramsdale has to accept a spot on the bench, with Nick Pope preserving his place in purpose, however there’s a debut for Anthony Elanga on the suitable wing. Harvey Barnes will begin on the left, with Anthony Gordon enjoying as a false 9.
Barely within the door, Malick Thiaw is among the many Newcastle substitutes, together with South Korean teenager Park Seung-soo, who has apparently turned a couple of heads with good performances in pre-season.
Aston Villa v Newcastle United line-ups
Aston Villa: Bizot, Money, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Onana, Rogers, Watkins.
Subs: Wright, Pau, Maatsen, Buendia, Malen, Guessand, Iling-Junior, Jimoh.
Newcastle United: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Gordon, Barnes, Elanga.
Subs: Ramsdale, Corridor, Botman, Thiaw, Krafth, Osula, Murphy, Seung-soo, Miley.
Premier League: Aston Villa v Newcastle
Villa Park is the venue for a match between two sides whose respective coaches whose pre-season preparations have been removed from very best. In his pre-match press convention yesterday, Unai Emery may very well be heard bemoaning the way wherein Aston Villa’s exercise within the switch market has been hamstrung by revenue and sutainability guidelines, a state of affairs that prompted the Spaniard to inform reporters that his crew have little or no likelihood of ending within the prime seven of the Premier League.
Villa’s solely main funding this summer time has been on the Good Striker Evan Guessand, whereas the Turkish centre-back Yasin Ozcan and a few reserve goalkeepers have additionally arrived at Villa Park. Ozcan has already been loaned out to Anderlecht however Villa are hopeful of getting Marco Asensio again in on mortgage from Paris Saint-Germain after his productive spell within the Midlands final season.
His reverse quantity, Eddie Howe, has had related points however whereas Newcastle have missed out on a number of excessive profile targets, they’ve managed to carry Malick Thiaw (AC Milan), Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton), Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest) and Antonio Cordero (free after leaving Malaga) to St James’ Park. They’re additionally understood to be within the means of wrapping up a deal to signal Jacob Ramsey from immediately’s opponents. Villa are in determined want of the £40m revenue they’ll generate from the sale of a extremely regarded academy graduate to assist their bean-counters steadiness the books.
Howe has additionally been compelled to cope with the petulant and unseemly strop thrown by his star striker Alexander Isak, who’s hankering after a transfer to Liverpool and has made it clear he has no intention of pulling on a Newcastle shirt once more regardless of having three years left on his contract. Howe admitted yesterday that management of the scenario is “not in my hands” however stated he might envisage a situation the place Isak performs in his aspect once more. It’s one that will nearly actually contain no finish of grovelling to unimpressed teammates, different membership workers and followers from the Swede however we’re unlikely to see any signal of him at Villa Park immediately.
With a lot (or little, within the case of Villa) occurring behind the scenes, it’s to be presumed each managers will welcome the chance to place their off-field woes behind them and get right down to the comparatively uncomplicated job of enjoying soccer. Kick-off is at 12.30pm however keep tuned within the meantime for crew information and build-up. Villa might be out for a modicum revenge over the crew that pipped them to the ultimate Champions League qualification place on the ultimate day of final season.
