Aston Villa Predicted XI vs Newcastle: Emery Picks Buendia

Emery set to hand Emi Buendia the No.10 role at Newcastle as Villa chase second league win

Unai Emery is expected to name Emi Buendia in Aston Villa's starting XI at St James' Park on Saturday, choosing the Argentine's experience over Ibrahim Mbaye's direct running for a physical away test against Newcastle United. Boubacar Kamara and Joao Gomes anchor midfield, with Nicolas Jackson leading the line.

Fixture: Newcastle United vs Aston Villa, Premier League, St James' Park
Headline call: Emery leans towards Emi Buendia over Ibrahim Mbaye in the final attacking slot
Midfield: Boubacar Kamara and Joao Gomes in the double pivot, with John McGinn and Johan Manzambi ahead
Left-back problem: Ian Maatsen and Matteo Ruggeri expected to be unavailable
At stake: A second Premier League win of the season for Villa
Form note: Villa have won their last three away matches in all competitions, scoring three in each

Predicted line-ups

Aston Villa

Starting XI: Zion Suzuki; Matty Cash, Victor Lindelof, Pau Torres, Aaron Wan-Bissaka; Boubacar Kamara, Joao Gomes; John McGinn, Johan Manzambi, Emi Buendia; Nicolas Jackson.

No substitutes list was confirmed in the source. George Hemmings and Brian Madjo may make the squad, with Hemmings having dealt with a minor knee issue since the international break.

Newcastle United

Newcastle's confirmed XI is not reported in the source, though separate coverage describes Joelinton and Osula starting. No formation or full personnel are stated here.

Selection notes

Ian Maatsen and Matteo Ruggeri are expected to be absent, limiting Emery's options at left-back. That pushes a reshuffled back four, with Matty Cash and Aaron Wan-Bissaka the likely full-backs alongside Victor Lindelof and Pau Torres.

Ross Barkley scored twice in Europe and made a decent argument for inclusion, but the source's reasoning points to defensive security and control: Boubacar Kamara and Joao Gomes form the double pivot ahead of Zion Suzuki in goal.

Further forward, John McGinn should start, Johan Manzambi is likely to keep his place and Nicolas Jackson leads the line. The open call is Emi Buendia against Ibrahim Mbaye.

Why Emery should trust Buendia over Mbaye at St James' Park

This is a control decision, not a talent contest. The 6-0 win over Fenerbahce was emphatic, but Newcastle away is a different test: physical, noisy and messy. Emery needs players who understand spacing, hold possession under pressure and do the simple things properly.

Emi Buendia knows the demands of Emery's structure and has done damage at this ground before, according to the source. That record, combined with his positional discipline, makes him the safer pick. Ibrahim Mbaye's direct running is a useful weapon, but this fixture rewards patience more than chaos out wide.

The same logic applies deeper. Ross Barkley's two European goals are a strong argument for inclusion, yet starting him risks leaving Villa open. Pairing Kamara with Gomes gives the back four a platform and allows McGinn and Manzambi to play further forward without the structure collapsing.

The context matters. Villa have travelled well, winning their last three away matches in all competitions against Club Brugge, Coventry City and Tottenham Hotspur, scoring three goals in each. That record is built on organisation. Newcastle have already shipped four in defeat at Coventry, but at home they remain unbeaten after wins over West Brom and Hull, plus draws with Liverpool and Bournemouth. This will not be a game Villa win by out-scoring chaos; they win it by staying compact and taking their moments.

The numbers

6-0: Aston Villa's midweek European win over Fenerbahce
3: Away matches won in Villa's current run, in all competitions
3: Goals scored in each of those three away victories (Club Brugge, Coventry City, Tottenham Hotspur)
4: Goals shipped by Newcastle in their defeat at Coventry
2: Goals scored by Ross Barkley in Europe
Unbeaten at home: Newcastle at St James' Park, with wins over West Brom and Hull and draws with Liverpool and Bournemouth

Injury and availability

Ian Maatsen and Matteo Ruggeri are expected to be without for Aston Villa, which limits the options at left-back. George Hemmings may make the squad but has been dealing with a minor knee issue since the international break. Brian Madjo may also make the squad. Zion Suzuki is set to continue in goal.

Talking points

Leaving out Ross Barkley after two goals in Europe sends a clear message that Emery rates structure over form. Is that the right call for a winnable away match?
Emi Buendia over Ibrahim Mbaye is a short-term choice. How does Villa's long-term development balance against Saturday's result?
The reshuffled back four with both first-choice left-backs unavailable is the biggest risk in this XI. Does a Wan-Bissaka/Cash pairing have enough natural width?
Villa have scored three in each of their last three away games. Newcastle unbeaten at home. Something has to give on Saturday.

What happens next

Aston Villa travel to St James' Park chasing a second Premier League win of the season and a fourth consecutive away victory in all competitions. Emery's selection, particularly the Buendia call and the makeshift left side, will be judged on whether Villa keep control in a hostile away environment.

Frequently asked questions

Is Emi Buendia starting for Aston Villa vs Newcastle?

The source's predicted XI includes Emi Buendia in the attacking line behind Nicolas Jackson, ahead of Ibrahim Mbaye, who is seen as the alternative option.

Who is in Aston Villa's predicted midfield vs Newcastle?

Boubacar Kamara and Joao Gomes are tipped for the double pivot, with John McGinn and Johan Manzambi further forward and Emi Buendia in the final attacking slot.

Why are Maatsen and Ruggeri missing for Aston Villa?

Ian Maatsen and Matteo Ruggeri are expected to be without, which limits Emery's options at left-back and pushes a reshuffled back four featuring Matty Cash and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.