Newcastle United head to Villa Park this weekend for their first game of the 2025-26 season
Unai Emery, manager of Aston Villa
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery will hand a debut to 34-year-old goalkeeper Marco Bizot against Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United this weekend. The former Brest shot-stopper is set to be thrown in at the deep end against the Magpies on the opening day of the Premier League season.
Usual Villa keeper Emi Martinez is suspended for the game, having been sent off on the last day of last season in a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Ironically, that result ensured Newcastle would play Champions League football this season, as they sealed fifth place in the Premier League despite a final-day defeat to Everton.
Martinez will only miss one game after the red card, and will be available for their trip to Brentford next weekend, but his absence means a likely debut for summer signing Bizot.
The veteran keeper is highly experienced, having made 477 appearances in a lengthy career that has included spells at AS Alkmaar, Gent and French side Brest.
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However, it will be a cause for concern for Emery, who could also hand a debut to another summer signing, Evann Guessand.
The 24-year-old striker moved to Villa Park in a £30.5m move from Nice over the summer and is set to make his Villa Park bow against United on Saturday lunchtime.
Morgan Rogers has shaken off an injury picked up in a pre-season game against Roma to be included in the squad, but Ross Barkley and Andres Garcia are ruled out.
Speaking in his pre-match media briefing, Emery said: “Tomorrow Emi Martinez is suspended, Garcia is injured and Barkley is not fit.”
It looked as though Martinez would leave Villa earlier this summer, with the Midlands side set to find a long-term replacement for the World Cup winner, but the 32-year-old opted to stay, with Bizot signed as a back-up option following Robin Olsen’s departure.
While much of the focus has been on Alexander Isak’s involvement, or lack of it, Newcastle will head to Birmingham with a strong squad.
Joe Willock is ruled out with a groin injury, with the former Arsenal midfielder expected to be out until September after picking up the problem in pre-season.
However, with Lewis Hall and Sven Botman close to full match fitness after featuring in the summer schedule, and new signings Anthony Elanga, Aaron Ramsdale and Malick Thiaw available, Howe has plenty of options apart from away from a central striker role.
Anthony Gordon will again be asked to lead the attack, with Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy competing with Elanga for a starting spot in the wide roles.
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