Newcastle United will travel to Aston Villa in their opening game of the 2025-26 Premier League season.
The trip to Aston Villa on Saturday, August 19 represents a tough start to the new campaign, with reigning champions Liverpool first up at St James’ Park before ending the opening month by visiting Leeds United.
Newcastle begin September with a home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers before their Champions League campaign gets underway. It isn’t until December when the Tyne-Wear derby returns with United heading to the Stadium of Light first. The reserve fixtures takes places in March.
With the Magpies’ fixture list as relentless as ever, head coach Eddie Howe knows he must bolster his squad in the transfer window. A new signing is yet to arrive yet but no one should be panicking. After all, we’re only three days into the summer window.
There’s just under eight weeks to go until the new season kick-offs. Here, NewcastleWorld has taken a look at the latest transfer rumours and put together a dream starting XI for the Premier League opener at Villa Park.
1. GK: Aaron Ramsdale
Right now, it's Nick Pope's spot to lose but Ramsdale will hope that changes soon. | Getty Images
2. RB: Tino Livramento
Livramento has been excellent at left-back and he'll hope to carry over that form over to the position he was signed to fill. | Getty Images
3. CB: Malick Thiaw
Thiaw has been signed as Fabian Schar's long-term replacement. | Getty Images
4. CB: Sven Botman
Botman was instrumental during his first season at St James’ Park but the last two have been dominated by knee issues. If Botman can put those troubles behind him then there’s no doubt he walks into Howe’s best XI. | Getty Images