Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez is suspended after his red card in the final day defeat at Manchester United, which cost Villa a Champions League spot. It means Marco Bizot, a summer signing from Brest, makes his debut in goal but he is the only new signing to start.

Aston Villa face Newcastle United in an early heavyweight Premier League clash on Saturday.Both sides will be eager to kick off the 2025/26 campaign with a victory, as Newcastle aim to build on their