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Premier League Showdown: Can Villa and Newcastle Disrupt the Big Six?

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Premier League Showdown: Can Villa and Newcastle Disrupt the Big Six?
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The Premier League's big six may be under threat as Aston Villa and Newcastle United target top-four finishes. Get the latest on their title ambitions.



Arsenal face a tough start to the Premier League season, taking on a revamped Manchester United. Meanwhile, Liverpool kick off their campaign at home against Bournemouth on Friday. Newcastle's upcoming match against Aston Villa looks challenging, especially with star striker Alexander Isak expected to be absent.

Premier League Debut Showdown: Sesko vs Gyokeres

Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are set to make their Premier League debuts for Manchester United and Arsenal, respectively, when the two teams clash at Old Trafford. Sesko, a £73.7m signing from RB Leipzig, is expected to start alongside Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in United's attack, while Gyokeres, who joined Arsenal from Sporting Lisbon, might face competition from Kai Havertz for a starting spot.

Team News:

  • Manchester United: Andre Onana might return from a hamstring injury, replacing Altay Bayindir. Joshua Zirkzee is also in contention for a spot in the starting lineup.
  • Arsenal: Gabriel Jesus remains out due to a knee injury, while Leandro Trossard is sidelined with a groin problem.


Arsenal had been eyeing Benjamin Sesko for over a year but ultimately chose Viktor Gyokeres as their top target to spearhead their attack. The Gunners hope Gyokeres will be the clinical finisher they've been lacking, potentially leading them to their first Premier League title since 2004. Gyokeres' impressive record at Sporting Lisbon, where he scored 97 goals in 102 games, makes him an attractive signing.




Arsenal's pursuit of Gyokeres is part of a larger strategy to strengthen their squad and challenge for the Premier League title. With Liverpool's significant spending in the transfer market, Arsenal will need to be shrewd and ambitious in their recruitment to stay competitive.


Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has been given a substantial budget to revamp his team's attack, signing Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha for over £200 million. This overhaul comes after a disappointing season, where United finished 15th in the Premier League and missed out on European qualification.


The upcoming match against Arsenal will be a crucial test for both teams, with Sesko set to make his Premier League debut against his former suitors. Amorim believes Sesko is ready to play, praising the striker's physical stature, smart thinking, and dedication to fitness. Sesko's impressive record at RB Leipzig, scoring 21 goals last season, has generated high expectations for his performance at Old Trafford.


The battle between Sesko and Arsenal's new signing, Viktor Gyokeres, will be a key aspect of the match, potentially influencing the outcome. Amorim's tactics and team selection will be crucial in determining the result, especially with several new signings expected to feature.



Liverpool's Bold Summer

Liverpool have gone against the trend by heavily investing in their squad despite recently winning the league. This move marks a departure from the usual approach, where top clubs often spend big after falling behind. The Reds' significant spending spree bucks this trend, with the goal of maintaining their competitive edge.


Liverpool's £260 million spending spree on Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez isn't over yet, with potential targets including Alexander Isak and Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi. The club has already sold key players like Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid, Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich, and Darwin Nunez to Al-Hilal to fund these signings.


However, the Reds are navigating a challenging transition period, having recently lost Diogo Jota in a tragic car accident. This loss, combined with the team's struggles in pre-season, has exposed vulnerabilities in their defense, particularly against counter-attacks.




Arne Slot is confident that Liverpool is ready to defend their title, despite the significant changes to the squad. “I think we’ve lost five to six players that played quite a lot of minutes for us last season and we brought in four new ones, so then it’s normal that there’s a little bit of adaptation,” he said. ”But we are definitely ready for the league to start.”

Can Villa and Newcastle Disrupt the Big Six?

Aston Villa and Newcastle United are looking to shake up the Premier League standings, despite being outspent by the traditional ”big six” clubs. Villa's Unai Emery has been active in the transfer market, signing players like Jeremie Frimpong and Evann Guessand, while Newcastle has brought in Anthony Elanga and Malick Thiaw to strengthen their squad.




Both teams face financial constraints, with Villa struggling to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). According to football finance expert Kieran Maguire, Villa are in a better position than last year but still need to make adjustments to avoid breaching PSR. Newcastle, meanwhile, has shown a profit but remains cautious about overspending.

Transfer Activity:

  • Liverpool: Signed Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5 million and Evann Guessand for £26 million plus add-ons.
  • Newcastle United: Signed Anthony Elanga for £55 million and Malick Thiaw for £34.6 million.


Despite these challenges, both Villa and Newcastle have the potential to rattle the big six. Villa's Champions League participation and smart signings could give them an edge, while Newcastle's substantial investments could pay off. The upcoming season will be crucial in determining their success.


Aston Villa's transfer activity has been limited due to financial constraints, with their only major signing being Evann Guessand from Nice. Meanwhile, Newcastle United's Eddie Howe faced scrutiny over the status of Alexander Isak, who missed pre-season training in hopes of forcing a transfer to Liverpool.




Newcastle's attempts to replace Isak have been unsuccessful, with several targets opting for other moves. These include Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Hugo Ekitike, Liam Delap, and Joao Pedro, all of whom chose different clubs over Newcastle.


Aston Villa and Newcastle have consistently outperformed some of the “big six” in recent seasons and will be targeting Champions League qualification again this season. Both teams have shown promise and will look to build on their progress to secure a top-four finish.




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