Following a sixth-placed league finish and two deep runs in cup competitions, Aston Villa will look to build on another good season when competitive action returns this weekend.
Unai Emery may have cursed missing out on an immediate return to UEFA’s top competition, following defeat to Manchester United on the Premier League’s final day, but Villa still have a Europa League campaign ahead of them.
Having started pre-season with successive defeats, they then completed an unbeaten U.S. tour before returning to the West Midlands with a 4-0 thumping of Roma.
Not only does that represent their longest such run since the mid-1970s, but Villa have also won five of their last six at home to Newcastle, including a comprehensive 4-1 victory in April.
Having finally ended a 70-year domestic trophy drought by lifting the EFL Cup, Newcastle subsequently secured fifth place in the Premier League despite losing both of their last two matches.
Since heading into the off-season, it has been a tough summer on Tyneside, as a long list of transfer targets have ended up elsewhere, while star man Alexander Isak is apparently desperate to leave.
Furthermore, Newcastle failed to win any of their friendlies, losing to Celtic, Arsenal and a K-League XI before playing out draws with Espanyol and Tottenham Hotspur.
Finishing off with a home loss to Atletico Madrid only served to dim the spirits of Toon fans even further, but at least precedent will be on their side this weekend.
Newcastle have won their league opener in each of the last three seasons – more wins than they managed across the previous 14 campaigns combined.
Unai Emery may have lost loanees Marco Asensio, Marcus Rashford and Axel Disasi, but Aston Villa have kept their spine intact despite doubts surrounding several key players.
Villa’s brilliant home record and Newcastle’s pre-season woes must tilt the balance in favour of the hosts, who will win by a single goal.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
