Aston Villa receive huge injury boost ahead of Saturday's season opening - bad news for Newcastle United
Aston Villa host Newcastle United on Saturday as the Premier League gets underway for another season. Kick-off is at 12:30pm live on TNT Sports.
It's going to be a tense affair for Newcastle fans who didn't see their side win a single game in pre-season amid a backdrop of more turmoil.
Another transfer window without a sporting director, no CEO in place, being rejected by so many transfer targets and of course, Alexander Isak's mental behaviour.
However, Newcastle have made a few additions to the squad and hope is starting to be restored. The key thing to remember is that Eddie Howe didn't play anything resembling a full first-team XI in any of the warm-up games this summer.
Aston Villa will be boosted by the return to fitness of Morgan Rogers
Newcastle's record at Villa Park isn't anything to write home about, with just two wins in 10 attempts, but Newcastle could go in with a psychological advantage after taking one of their players off them this week if the move for Jacob Ramsey is completed before the weekend.
Although, as. Taking Ramsey away does slightly weaken Aston Villa, but the fact that the young star Morgan Rogers is now looking likely to be fit will be a big boost to the Villans.
Rogers has been absolutely outstanding for Villa since his move from Middlesbrough, and the 23-year-old was a doubt for the season opener, but now the Daily Mail reports that the England star has trained this week and is expected to feature.
Could we see Malick Thiaw make his debut on Saturday?
Morgan Rogers will prove to be a test for the Newcastle defence, which could have a new look with Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman in the middle.
It might be a bit of a baptism of fire for new signing Thiaw, which is why we expect Fabian Schar will retain his place in the starting lineup for this one.
The butterflies have already started and we're 48 hours away from kick-off. Don't you just love this time of year?
