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Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Thu 14 August 2025 20:00, UK

Eddie Howe has some very tricky decisions to make as Newcastle United prepare to face Aston Villa in their Premier League opener.

Alexander Isak is highly unlikely to be available for the Magpies on Saturday, 16 August, as the Sweden international continues to push for a move away from St James’ Park amid interest from Liverpool.

Mick Brown revealed to Football Insider that the Reds have already agreed terms with Isak, and while a move to Anfield is up in the air, any chance of reintegrating at St James’ Park appears dead.

Alexander Isak’s stats in the 2024/25 season (Credit: Imago)

That has handed the manager a major headache ahead of travelling to Villa Park, especially since their main centre-forward has three goals in five games against them, but Anthony Gordon is not the answer.

Gordon is certainly a striker option for Newcastle heading into the 2025/26 season, but if Howe is aiming for a positive start against Villa, he has no option but to drop the former Everton man to the bench.

Anthony Gordon is an England international.

(Credit: Imago)

In nine matches against the Villans, the 24-year-old has lost all nine of them, notching just one goal and one assist, and also picking up two yellow cards home and away during 2023/24.

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Gordon may not be available after picking up an injury against Atletico Madrid, but even if he were, starting William Osula through the middle and Harvey Barnes on the left flank makes much more sense.

Direct, explosive, and intelligent – that is what Barnes adds to the forward line, and Emery has experienced that more than many other managers across the English divisions.

Photo Credit: Imago

In 14 matches against the Villans, the 27-year-old has won six, drawn two, and lost six, but it is his record of goal contributions that will strike fear into those at Villa Park this weekend.

The most against any club he has faced, Barnes has notched six goals and six assists during spells with Barnsley, West Brom, Leicester City, and Newcastle, showing just how effective he is.

Howe’s side have won three of their last five games against Villa, but with Unai Emery in the dugout, nobody can predict what will happen when the two sides go head-to-head on Saturday.

Supporters will also be trying to guess the lineup ahead of the game, and if they want a bigger chance of leaving with all three points, Barnes over Gordon is the right choice for the boss on this occasion.

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