The second match of the 2025-26 Premier League will be between Aston Villa and Newcastle United at Villa Park. Heading into this game, both teams have lost key players from last season, and Newcastle United will be without arguably their most important player.

The clubs had agreed an upfront fee of £39million ($52.8m) along with a further £5m in harder to achieve add-ons for the central midfielder.

Unai Emery and Villa have been hamstring by the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), and have enjoyed a quiet window so far after their hectic winter. Things surely would’ve played out differently had they usurped Newcastle in the table on the final day.