The claret and blue view: An Aston Villa summer of transition assessed ahead of Newcastle United visit

After defeat on the opening day (3-2 at Watford), what’s the mood like around the club heading into Saturday’s fixture?

The feeling is certainly that of a mixed one. As with every club, there are those that overreacted after the loss and there were a select few that were even calling for Dean Smith’s head on Twitter post match. However, the majority have of course been understanding and are still very much optimistic about the coming season.

What did you make of Villa’s summer business, which of course was dominated by the departure of Jack Grealish?

Impressive for the most part and even with the departure of Grealish, I see a squad that has improved and now has much more strength in depth than it did previously. Emiliano Buendia and Leon Bailey are two very exciting additions to the team and the return of Ashley Young is a smart one. The standout signing has to be Danny Ings, though. Maybe not the most glamorous on the surface but a proven Premier League goalscorer that will be happy he got off the mark in game one despite the defeat. If he stays fit all year, there’s your 20 goal striker.

Has a summer of change had a positive or negative impact at Villa?

It’s too early to say really but in terms of the attitude of the fan base, I’d say it certainly reflects a positive one. To lose a player like Jack Grealish and have the fans still on side shows you’re doing something right. There’s a lot of new faces, with some possibly still to come. Given time to gel I expect the positive impact will begin showing on the pitch too.

What would represent a successful season for Dean Smith & Co?

It simply has to be an evident improvement on the 11th place finish in the last campaign. The owners have reinforced their ambition for this club to be one that is competing in Europe within the next few years and if that’s a serious goal, they need to show it on the pitch. A top half finish, even if 10th, will mark an improvement and show that the team is heading in the right direction.

Do you believe Villa have anything to fear, looking at Newcastle United’s likely starting XI?

With the squad they now have at their disposal, I don’t think Villa should be fearing anyone. Having said that, with how poor they were defensively against Watford, Callum Wilson will fancy he can add to his goal on the opening day. Matt Targett had a really rough afternoon against Ismaila Sarr and if he gets the nod, I’d expect Newcastle to once again try and exploit that with their wingbacks.

Will Steve Bruce be a welcome presence back at Villa Park?

In short, no. Bruce wasn’t a popular appointment in the first place and he failed in his main task, which was to get the club back to the Premier League. His last game in charge saw him receiving ‘Bruce Out’ chants from the Holte End so I don’t expect a capacity Villa Park to be too friendly towards him.

Any injuries, expected absences or players returning?

Bertrand Traore who came on in the latter stages of the game against Watford and played very well, also played in a behind closed door game with Liverpool on the Sunday and ended up hobbling off with a hamstring problem, so he’s expected to miss the game. More disappointing news comes in the shape of Ollie Watkins. The forward was tipped to be back in the fold for the Newcastle game but Smith revealed in his pre-match presser that he will once again be unavailable with a niggling knee issue. One positive comes in the shape of Douglas Luiz. Luiz has been back in training this week fresh from his Olympic gold medal triumph in Tokyo and he could also come back into the fray.

Likely starting XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Young; Nakamba, McGinn; Buendia, Ramsey, Bailey; Ings.

Prediction: Villa 3-1 Newcastle. First home game back at a packed out Villa Park and I expect Dean Smith’s men will bounce back from a poor opening day showing. A lot of new faces have had a bit more time to settle in and I believe the quality they have in forward areas will ultimately prove too much for the Magpies.

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