As the Premier League’s traditional “big six” of Liverpool, Manchester City, United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham have flexed their financial muscle in the transfer market, Villa and Newcastle have been squeezed out.
Constrained by the need to meet financial sustainability rules, Villa’s only major signing has been Ivorian stiker Evann Guessand from Nice.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has had to field constant questioning on the status of Isak, who sat out pre-season preparations in a bid to force through a desired move to Liverpool.
The Magpies attempts to replace the Swede have repeatedly fallen down with Sesko, Mbuemo, Hugo Ekitike, Liam Delap and Joao Pedro among those to opt for moves elsewhere.
But both Villa and Newcastle have consistently outperformed some of the “big six” in recent seasons and will be targeting Champions League qualification again this season.
Fixtures (all times GMT)
Friday
Liverpool v Bournemouth (1900)
Saturday
Aston Villa v Newcastle (1130), Brighton v Fulham, Sunderland v West Ham, Tottenham v Burnley, Wolves v Man City (1630)
Sunday
Chelsea v Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest v Brentford (both 1300), Man Utd v Arsenal (1530)
Monday
Leeds v Everton (1900)
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Photo: Alex Pantling/Getty Images
