Premier League Fixtures R1 25/26: Aston Villa draw with Newcastle

It was a quiet 96 minute match last night or lunchtime over at Villa Park following a 0-0 draw by Aston Villa & Newcastle.

They both have huge owners with a excellent know-how when running the day-to-day operations of a club and both have been in the Champions League too with Villa last season and Newcastle again this season thanks to this extra spot that allows the Top 5 finishers rather than four to qualify for the ultimate competition of Europe with the rewards given by UEFA.

Although Villa is still in Europe for yet another term but this time Europa League so not bad because if they win them all then it’s Champions League for Villa again and Unai Emery has won so many times before via Sevilla and Villarreal CF.

Newcastle United

Looking back, safe to say that Newcastle won lots of ball everywhere across the pitch. They look like they were going to score but not quite where shots were just half hearted, especially when Newcastle doesn’t have a frontline No.9 who is reportedly wanting to end up at Liverpool.

Understandable considering Alexander Isak wants to test himself at a team that can consistently win all top shelf trophies having witnessed Liverpool regain the PL season last term since 2019/20.

But at the same time, Newcastle can’t let it slip away even against ten men Villa.

Sure they will come up with something to solve this conundrum sooner than later when that young striker from Denmark William Osula didn’t do bad for a spell or two after he came off the bench that late for left winger Harvey Barnes.

Some say maybe he’s not ready to last the full 90-100 just yet but there’s always CL, so Eddie Howe knows whether or not to roll Osula into the next Isak and Haaland – he’s pretty tall compared to these two.

Aston Villa

Now Villa on the other way were out of shape earlier on with little room to get their attacking engine up and running other than a series of counter-attacks that led to almost nothing at shots on goal.

They did improve later on though with more ball time and more athletic energy that scared off a frustrated Newcastle side on top of a rock-solid backline.

Finishing the game with 10 men not pretty when Ezri Konsa knocked down Anthony Gordon & he was given a straight red card right on the spot but Villa was fortunate enough to benefit from Newcastle’s toothless attacking line without Isak.

Also Villa’s keeper for this opening game wasn’t Emi Martinez where Marco Bizot took charge behind goal who had to sit out for this one that follows a suspension from the end of last season. 

His re-inclusion would no doubt help Villa get their PL campaign back on the winning front more often in between now and Matchday 38 at the end of May along with the club’s continued success in Europe. 

As said, both got away empty handed but better still, rapt to hear that the new PL season is back for 2025/26 under the new TV rights management here in Australia by Stan Sport and Channel 9.