Aston Villa

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, speaking to BBC Match of The Day: "Very tough and, for us, it was very important after our poor start [to the season] we need to try to come back feeling confident, feeling comfortable with how we are building our structure.

"The players themselves tried to be demanding to change the situation where we are. How we achieved three points at Tottenham after the draw we had last week with Brentford. Today was very, very important. We focused on this match in meetings before as well.

"Of course, we're happy with the match we played in the Champions League, but the league is the priority because through the league we are going to achieve our priority this years, so the league is the competition where we must try to be very consistent.

"Clean sheet on Wednesday, clean sheet today. I think this is one thing we are speaking and wanting to improve."

On Johan Manzambi: "Skills and intelligence, both he has, and his physicality is very important as well to help us defensively and to help us try to keep the duels offensively.

"So happy. Of course, another goal he has scored. Fantastic for him as well. Then he was a bit tired and maybe something muscular, hopefully not much. He has been a very good impact with his qualities and his wish to join us in the same challenges and performances in the last three or four years, playing as well consistency in the Premier League in the top positions as well in Europe."

Aston Villa striker Nicolas Jackson, speaking to BBC Match of The Day on the win: "It was good. We know this is a difficult place to come and play but thank God we got the win. We got the three points - that's the most important [thing] for us."

On Johan Manzambi: "He's an amazing player. He's still growing. Hopefully he can be better and better every game, score goals and assist me as well. Hopefully we will work together and achieve many things together."

On how far Manzambi can go in the game: "He will go a long way and hopefully he gets no injuries. For sure, if he is OK, and he is training hard, he will go a long way and many more goals and assists - for me - to come."

On whether Villa are where they want to be: "We are not where we want to be because we lost some points, but the most important [thing] is in the past, forget this game as well, focus on the next. Go game by game and we will see where we go."

Did you know?

• Aston Villa have won successive Premier League away games for the first time since December 2025 (run of four); they'd previously won just two of their 12 away games prior to the Spurs victory (D5 L5).

• Since his first start for Aston Villa (19th September v Tottenham Hotspur), only Erling Haaland (6) has been involved in more goals among Premier League players in all competitions than Johan Manzambi (5 – 3 goals, 2 assists).

Listen to more from Emery on BBC Sounds and you can also listen to Tyrone Mings' reaction below or on BBC Sounds

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The victory helped Aston Villa boss Unai Emery reach a landmark as it was his 100th in the Premier League.

The Spaniard would have been delighted with his side's performance, especially as they had two days fewer than their opponents to prepare for this match, having played in the Champions League on Wednesday.

For the first time this season club captain John McGinn did not start a league match, although the Scotland midfielder did come on at the beginning of the second half.

Villa already had the lead by then, after being the better team in the first 45 minutes.

As well as the Johan Manzambi goal and the Emiliano Buendia effort off the woodwork, Nicolas Jackson also had an effort saved by Lukas Hornicek, with Matty Cash later hitting the side-netting.

Manzambi, who turned 21 on Wednesday, has now scored three goals for Villa since joining Emery's side in a club record deal of just over £50m from German side Freiburg.

Villa had opportunities to score a second goal, but substitute Ross Barkley drew a fine save from Hornicek and Ibrahim Mbaye shot wide after a fine run.

But they produced a strong defensive performance to restrict the hosts to one shot on target, to leave the north east with the three points.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Newcastle's performance

What did you make of Aston Villa's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Everton v Chelsea (12:30)

• Brentford v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Fulham v Hull City

• Manchester City v Ipswich Town - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Newcastle United v Aston Villa (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

How to follow the Premier League weekend across the BBC

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Brentford v Liverpool" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Ipswich match", for example.

New this season: Live match updates

Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

Find out more here

Image source, BBC Sport

New this season: Match of the Day Predictor

Simply predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

Players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or on this link

This has the makings of a great game.

Newcastle's defeat at Coventry on Monday was such a wild game. The way the Magpies play, they just go for it, and load players into the frontline.

They lost 4-1 in the end but the scoreline could have been anything with the number of chances Newcastle had.

Aston Villa have made a slow start to the Premier League season results-wise, but I think they have done all right, bearing in mind what their manager Unai Emery has had to deal with in terms of the players they lost.

Johan Manzambi is getting fitter every game and Nicolas Jackson has found some great form.

It takes time for a team to come together but I thought they were really good against Brentford last weekend - they just weren't ruthless enough.

That wasn't a problem against Fenerbahce on Wednesday, though.

This is a really hard one to call and the only thing I know for certain is that there will be a few goals.

Sutton's prediction: 2-3

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Newcastle aim to continue their unbeaten start at home against an Aston Villa team who have won their past three away matches in all competitions.

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes going into their meeting at St James' Park on Saturday.

"Not good enough in both boxes," was how head coach Matthias Jaissle described Newcastle's disappointing loss at Coventry City on Monday, but it is perhaps his side's defensive issues that deserve the greatest attention.

Defeat by the Sky Blues was the second successive away game in which Newcastle have conceded four goals, following the 4-1 loss at Leeds United in September.

The Magpies have conceded 13 Premier League goals this season, their third-most in their first six matches, after 1999-00 (18) and 2021-22 (14). They went on to finish in 11th place in both of those campaigns.

And while their may be a degree of reassurance in returning to St James' Park, where they are unbeaten so far this season, to take on Aston Villa, vulnerability has also been a recurrent theme on home turf prior to Jaissle's arrival.

Newcastle have gone 12 consecutive Premier League games without a home clean sheet, their longest such sequence in 27 years.

The positive for home supporters is that this weekend's visitors are suffering from their own surfeit of defensive lapses.

Villa have conceded 11 goals in six Premier League games this season, their most at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 1986-87, when they eventually finished bottom.

Unai Emery's side, though, have improved in recent weeks, with the 6-0 win over Fenerbahce in the Champions League on Wednesday extending their unbeaten run to four matches.

They also won for the first time away from home in the Premier League this season during their most recent outing at Tottenham, when midfielder John Manzambi scored his first goal for the club since joining from Freiburg in a club record £51.2m in the summer.

Manzambi also scored in Europe in midweek and there would be no small sense of irony should he add to that tally on Tyneside on Saturday. Newcastle reportedly agreed a fee for the 21-year-old Switzerland international before he opted to join Villa as Morgan Rogers' replacement in July.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Newcastle at St James' Park (kick-off 17:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Emery confirmed he will decide on his starting XI after training on Friday afternoon, because some players "might be tired" after Wednesday's Champions League win and he needs his side "to be 100% not 80%" to face Newcastle.

• He took former Wales international and manager John Toshack's reference "don't avoid the trees that are not permitting you to see the Forest" when describing the 6-0 win over Fenerbahce. The Villa boss went on to say they "won a fantastic match, but have a lot of things to improve to make us as strong as possible."

• On a difficult start, but a convincing European win: "The players are doing a huge effort each match to try to do our demands. We are really improving. We are building the team in the same way we did it three, two and one years ago. The results are [be]coming better."

• He said 21-year-old Johan Manzambi is "more or less similar" to former Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers, but "with his own characteristics as a player".

• More on Manzambi: "He's doing things very positive for the team. He can drive and get the ball. He is getting assists and scoring goals. He is mature, likes football, responsible and a very good example of the mentality that we need."

• On opponents Newcastle: "At their home it is always very difficult. The supporters are always pushing them. They will be very demanding in how they try to beat us. We must be ready to compete and defend strongly. Be compact and [every player] focused on his task. We need the bench ready to play in case we need fresh legs. It's a huge challenge."

Listen to live commentary of Newcastle v Aston Villa on BBC Radio 5 Live from 17:30 BST on Saturday

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Aston Villa are well placed to beat Manchester United to Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay if the 29-year-old Scotland international becomes available. (Football Insider, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

"Aston Villa just need to translate their Champions League form to the Premier League now," says former Premier League midfielder Charlie Adam, who watched on as Unai Emery's side hit six goals past Fenerbahce at Villa Park.

Their first home win of the 2026-27 season saw them move one step closer to qualifying for the knockout stage, having already beaten Club Brugge 3-2 in their Champions League opener.

"Unai Emery is one of the best coaches in Europe," Adam told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "He prepares his team so well, he is tactically very good, he understands what he is playing against, and he gives his players a good platform to build on.

"He hasn't complained about all the players the club sold this summer, he has just got on with his job this season.

"Nicolas Jackson was a very good signing, Johan Manzambi has stepped up, John McGinn has been an absolute world-beater since he signed - and when they have their forward line scoring goals. They have a really good balance in their team.

"Ross Barkley can also dominate in terms of receiving under pressure and enjoying playing forward. Boubacar Kamara is a really good defensive midfielder who gives you that security.

"Emery has chopped and changed his defensive line a little bit more, but he has still relied on players like Victor Lindelof.

"I thought Emiliano Martinez would be a huge loss for them this season, but the new goalkeeper Zion Suzuki has come in and done really well.

"For me, Aston Villa just need to translate their Champions League form to the Premier League now."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds here

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Ross Barkley has hailed Unai Emery as one of the world's best managers after Aston Villa demolished Fenerbahce.

The midfielder scored twice, including a penalty, in the second half to help Villa beat their Turkish hosts 6-0 in the Champions League.

Johan Manzambi and Nicolas Jackson's double put Villa 3-0 up at half-time, before Barkley and Tammy Abraham completed the rout on Wednesday.

It was Villa's first home win of the season and after a summer of upheaval, including six key exits and 10 arrivals, Barkley sees things coming together - thanks to Emery.

"As the weeks go by, everyone is growing, but it's led by the manager. He's one of the best managers in the world and, with time, everyone learns and improves. It's exciting," said the 32-year-old.

"Once you grasp it, the game becomes easy for you if you're on it on gameday. The game comes together."

It was Barkley's sixth start of the season, having only made eight in 2025-26, and the former Everton youngster is relishing his revival.

Barkley added: "I love being a part of the club. It's a great club, a great team, it's fantastic. My role is to be ready when I come off the bench or when I start.

"When I come on the pitch I've got to do what I can do. If I don't perform at my best, the next game I've got to come through and lead and perform better.

"There's always competition for places in our team. We've got four or five central midfielders, so it's just about being ready."

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nicolas Jackson celebrated his first-half double by making a cutting motion, which proved fitting on a night Aston Villa found their clinical edge.

A first win at Villa Park this season, three first-half goals and six in total, and a commanding Champions League victory - all in the biggest European win in their history.

Questions had been building after Villa picked up just one point from their opening three Premier League home games this season, even if Saturday's 2-2 draw with Brentford ensured they avoided a third-straight home league defeat under Unai Emery for the first time since February 2024.

They found a willing opponent in Fenerbahce, who were scattered with former Premier League players, including Ederson, Nathan Ake, Romelu Lukaku and Nelson Semedo.

Villa had last scored so many in a 6-1 win over Brighton three years ago, while they had put five goals past Hibernian in the Conference League in 2023.

That result provided another springboard and extended the side's recent form to just one defeat in seven games. However, Emery's rebuild will still take time.

Before the international break, he compared the opening five weeks of the season to pre-season, with 10 new players to adapt following a chaotic summer of change.

Record £65m signing Jackson came in to replace Ollie Watkins after his £50m switch to Al-Hilal. He joined having helped Bayern Munich win the Bundesliga last season on loan from Chelsea, and on moving to Villa Park he was reunited with Emery.

The pair had worked together at Villarreal, with Emery giving him his debut, and the 25-year-old has quickly repaid the faith on their reunion.

The only thing missing for Jackson was a potential hat-trick, with Ross Barkley - the pre-arranged penalty taker - scoring from the spot.

"I wanted to take it but the most important thing is that we won," Jackson told TNT Sports. "Hopefully next time I will get the hat-trick."

Jackson's four goals in three games and five goals in total this season have helped the club quickly move on from their record Premier League scorer Watkins.

Emery added: "Jackson is doing a fantastic job. He is scoring, working defensively and helping the team - this is very important. Maybe he can shoot [from the spot] in the future, as well."

The new-look forward line will now be eager for Saturday's trip to Newcastle, especially as Matthias Jaissle's side shipped four against Coventry on Monday to leave them with the joint-worst defensive record in the Premier League.

Read the full article here

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Champions League game between Aston Villa and Fenerbahce.

Here are some of your comments:

Prit: Perfect, absolutely perfect. If we can keep Jackson, Manzambi and Mbaye fit, what a front three that is. The pace was fantastic and it will worry a lot of defences going forward, so I hope Mbaye is OK. The defence is still a worry, but Unai Emery will fix that. Onwards and upwards.

Damon: Unai is a master in European games. He proves it time and time again. Just look at his record. We trust him to work out the Premier League as well after our usual slow start.

Paul: A great win and a much-needed one at home. This may seem a bit bizarre based on the clean sheet, but there are still issues to resolve defensively.

Image source, Getty Images

Rob: A great performance. Just what we needed to get our season going. Jackson was a class apart, and Manzambi was excellent. A clean sheet is also very pleasing. Definitely no excuses now about the North Stand closure - the atmosphere was great.

Johnson: A massive, massive result, not just for the sake of the team but in terms of Champions League aim too. The frontline is absolutely electric and dangerous on the counters. The midfield is great. It bodes well for Newcastle away. That big win helps massively with goal difference and could make a difference between the top eight or top 16 in the Champions League. So proud.

Rob: The state of Villa's demise has been greatly exaggerated. Watch out Premier League...

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa midfielder Johan Manzambi spoke to TNT Sports after victory against Fenerbahce: "Today was very good. We scored six goals and no goals conceded. That's very nice. For the fans it's amazing.

"Very happy. My first Champions League game and my first goal - on my birthday. My family are here. That's very nice for me. Amazing team. Amazing fans. I'm very happy to play here."

Striker Nicolas Jackson told TNT Sports: "He [Johan Manzambi] is a top player. I'm really happy we're playing together. I hope we score many more goals together.

"He [Ibrahim Mbaye] is an amazing player. We're in the [Senegal] national team together. Hopefully he'll get more time to play. He's very fast. It's good to have him."

On whether he wanted to take the penalty for a hat-trick chance: "Yeah I wanted to take it but the most important thing is we win. Hopefully next time I'll get the hat-trick.

"Very important. We haven't won at home. Our keeper is amazing."

Listen to more reaction from Unai Emery below or on BBC Sounds here

Unai Emery spoke to TNT Sports after Aston Villa's victory against Fenerbahce: "Overall it was a very good match. There are still things to improve. It was a strong result for us. Maybe Fenerbahce didn't deserve those six golas.

"Keep going forward. [It helps] confidence for us. We did some changes to get other players confidence and minutes. What we did today was fantastic. The Champions League is very difficult."

On Nicolas Jackson: "He has power to get in behind. He can drop and help as well. We need him always to be in the box when we're attacking. Brian Madjo is ready to play as well now. Jackson is our striker."

On Johan Manzambi: "Very good. He's a very nice guy. Very professional. A very good team-mate. How he's adapted to us is very good."

Did you know?

• Aston Villa have recorded their biggest ever win in major European competition, and their biggest victory under manager Unai Emery across all competitions.

• Aston Villa's Johan Manzambi (21 today) became the second player to score on his UEFA Champions League debut on his birthday alongside Spartak Moscow's Romulo vs Barcelona in September 2012 (22 years old) - Unai Emery was Spartak Moscow's manager for that game also.

Starting XI:

Zion Suzuki: Made two important saves from Verdat Muriqi in the first half and turned Oguz Aydin's shot on to the bar. Villa always held control but had Suzuki to make sure of it. 7

Matty Cash: Shot straight at Ederson with Villa already 3-0 up and saw a drive deflected wide in the second half. He was rarely troubled in defence. 7

Pau Torres: Headed over as Villa chased a second goal and was steady as he made his return to the starting line up. 7

Victor Lindelof: Made an important block to deny Oguz Aydin as the visitors tried to get back into the game. Rarely lets Villa down. 7

Aaron Wan-Bissaka: Drafted in at left-back to cover injuries and marshalled Mason Greenwood. 7

Ross Barkley: Headed over early and set up Jackson for his second goal before scoring twice, including from the spot, to make it a rout. 8

Boubacar Kamara: Won the ball to set up Jackson before the break and kept Villa moving in the midfield in another fine and understated display. 8

John McGinn: Another influential display and the captain provided the cross which led to Villa's first and he also tested Ederson early in the second half. 8

Johan Manzambi: Celebrated his 21st birthday with a deflected opener to give Villa the lead and he looked to dictate attacks. 8

Ibrahim Mbaye: A lively start and found space but struggled to find the end product, even against Fenerbahce's fragile defence. 7

Nicolas Jackson: Four goals in three games for the striker, with Aston Villa fans rapidly forgetting Ollie Watkins. Jackson has clicked into gear under Unai Emery. 8

Substitutes:

Joao Gomes (on 73, Manzambi): 6

Alysson (on 73, Kamara): 6

Alejandro Garnacho (on 79, Mbaye)

Leon Goreztka (on 83, Barkley)

Tammy Abraham (on 78, Jackson) 6: Added the final flourish with an easy tap in.

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back to this page on Thursday to find a selection of your replies

There are nine games in the Champions League on Wednesday as the 36-team league phase continues and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Feyenoord v Como (17:45)

• LASK v Liverpool (17:45)

• Aston Villa v Fenerbahce

• Bodo/Glimt v Borussia Dortmund

• Manchester City v Paris St-Germain - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Real Betis v Porto

• Roma v Real Madrid

• Shakhtar Donetsk v AEK Athens

• Slovan Bratislava v Stuttgart

Kick-off times 20:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Champions League commentary on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Man City v PSG" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Manchester City match".

Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One from 22:40 to 00:00.

How to follow the Champions League on the BBC

New this season: Live match updates

Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

Find out more here

Image source, BBC Sport

New this season: Match of the Day Predictor

Simply predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

Players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or on this link