Aston Villa vs Newcastle predictions, team news, betting tips, odds and Bet Builder

Aston Villa vs Newcastle kick-off, date & TV info

Date Saturday, August 16
Kick-off 8pm
Venue Villa Park, Birmingham
Competition Premier League
TV TNT Sports 1

Aston Villa and Newcastle meet in the Premier League's opening round for the second time in three seasons and both have work to do in the transfer market.

The Villans finished sixth last season but are yet to replace the attacking loanees who helped them end the campaign a point behind fifth-placed Newcastle, who snared England's extra Champions League berth.

Both are likely to be busy before the window shuts but even with that excitement to come, Saturday's fixture provides the chance to set the tone for another European push.

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Aston Villa vs Newcastle betting tips & predictions

Best bet

Aston Villa
2pts 13-10 Ladbrokes, Coral

Player card bet

Joelinton to be carded
15-8 Paddy Power

Longshot

Over 14.5 corners
11-2 bet365

Aston Villa vs Newcastle preview

It's obvious, bordering on lazy, to assess opening round fixtures via the prism of the clubs involved's summer transfer activity.

However, Aston Villa's is yet to take off and Newcastle's is delayed by their star striker's potential departure.

The duo meet on matchday one for the second time in three seasons. Their 2023-34 fixture at a packed St James' Park saw the Magpies claim a deserved 5-1 win.

Alexander Isak scored twice that day but won't be at Villa Park as the speculation surrounding his reported move to Liverpool rumbles on.

The Swede's demands and repeated knockbacks from several transfer targets has meant a hard summer for Eddie Howe but things may be turning a corner.

Malick Thiaw's arrival adds quality and versatility in defence, while Jacob Ramsey's expected incoming offers similar flexibility in midfield.

Those deals may signal the club's acceptance that they will sell Isak, but probably not before next Monday's match against Liverpool.

Ramsey won't be available in time as he comes in from Villa, who have signed Evann Guessand from Nice but have added little more, and they could also let their best striker Ollie Watkins leave before September 1.

However, while all the drama surrounds Newcastle, the Villans' lack of transfer activity hasn't been overblown, possibly due to having Unai Emery in situ.

The Spaniard has his moments on the touchline but is the type of character to keep people calm behind the scenes.

Watkins' presence also provides the Villans with a reliable source of goals. He has scored five times in pre-season, while the Isak saga leaves Anthony Gordon to lead the Newcastle attack, with Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes on the flanks.

If you'd asked fans in May how they thought Newcastle's 2025-26 would go, the response would have been generally positive now that their trophy curse is banished and Champions League football is returning.

Things were on the up but unlike the club's colours, things at Newcastle are rarely black and white.

Failing to win any of their six pre-season games suggests Howe's side are lacking something and while Villa look short in areas, they are unbeaten at home in almost a year and their more settled side can get an opening-round result.

Joelinton destined for the book

There was a time when Joelinton would have been an option to play number nine in Isak's absence, but the Brazilian is now entrenched in midfield.

After four seasons there, he can no longer hide behind the notion that he is still learning the role as a meaningful excuse for his booking rate.

The Brazilian received ten yellow cards last season, two of them against Villa, and could be in trouble again on Saturday.

Corner count could mount

There were 15 and 14 corners in last season's matches between these teams, and their all-action styles suggest more of the same on Saturday.

They both averaged around six corners taken per game last season, so set-pieces could be frequent.

Aston Villa vs Newcastle Bet Builder

Ollie Watkins to score

Watkins has scored five times in four home Premier League appearances against Newcastle.

Ian Maatsen to score or assist

Ian Maatsen bagged his only league goal of last season in April's 4-1 win over the Magpies.

Over 2.5 goals

Three or more goals have been scored in the last six Premier League meetings.

Price guide 9-1 with bet365

Key stats for Aston Villa vs Newcastle

♦ Aston Villa won April's home meeting 4-1 and are unbeaten at Villa Park since August 2024
♦ Ollie Watkins has scored five times in four home Premier League games against Newcastle
♦ Newcastle failed to win any of their six pre-season fixtures
♦ There have been eight meetings since the pair last played out a draw
♦ The last two Villa Park head-to-heads have featured over 3.5 goals

Aston Villa vs Newcastle betting odds

Sign up with Paddy Power to bet on Aston Villa vs Newcastle in the Premier League. Here are the latest odds for Saturday's match at Villa Park.

Market	Odds
Aston Villa	5-4
Newcastle	19-10
Draw	5-2

Odds correct at time of publishing

Want more top football betting advice? Make sure you take a look at Racing Post Sport's tips for more of the latest picks from our experts.

Aston Villa vs Newcastle team news and predicted line-ups

Aston Villa

Recent arrival Marco Bizot should deputise for the suspended Emi Martinez in goal. Andres Garcia and Ross Barkley are injured, but Morgan Rogers has been passed fit.

Predicted line-up (4-4-1-1): Bizot; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; Malen, Tielemans, Kamara, McGinn; Rogers; Watkins
Subs: Digne, Torres, Bogarde, Buendia, Onana, Bailey, Guessand

Newcastle

Eddie Howe says Joe Willock is Newcastle's only absentee, aside from Alexander Isak. New signing Malick Thiaw will be involved but may not be ready to start. Jacob Ramsey is also incoming, but from Villa, so his transfer is unlikely to be confirmed until after Saturday's match.

Predicted line-up (4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Botman, Burn, Hall; Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes, Tonali; Elanga, Gordon, Barnes
Subs: Trippier, Krafth, Schar, Thiaw, Miley, Murphy, Osula

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Expert EFL predictions and free football tips from Dan Childs

FAQs for Aston Villa vs Newcastle

When is Aston Villa vs Newcastle in the Premier League?

The match kicks off at 12.30pm on Saturday.

Where is Aston Villa vs Newcastle being played?

The game takes place at Villa Park, Birmingham.

What is the match betting for Aston Villa vs Newcastle?

Aston Villa are the 5-4 favourites to win on Saturday, with the draw 5-2 and Newcastle 19-10.

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Jack OgalbeRacing Post Sport

Published on 15 August 2025inPremier League