Newcastle United

"Chaotic".

That is how Monday Night Club's Chris Sutton described Newcastle's style of play.

The Magpies are under scrutiny after a difficult spell and Sutton said: "On the face of things, mid-table, they have had an OK start. It's hard after only seven gams to make a call on teams. But they are very chaotic in the way they play."

Watch clips of the show above and below or listen in full on BBC Sounds

The team discussed Matthias Jaissle's decision to use Dan Burn up front late in the fixture and Sutton saw no issue given he felt Newcastle didn't look like scoring beforehand.

"It does worry me watching them that they seem to be a team that are all-in, absolutely all-in. They will get picked off unless they become a little bit more balanced."

Journalist Rory Smith added: "If you said at the end of last season Newcastle lose Gordon, Guimaraes, Tonali and Howe, you probably get this, to be honest."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on your memories of when Newcastle United beat Manchester United 5-0, a fixture played out 30 years ago on this day in 1996.

Here are some of your comments:

Rob: It was my 30th the day after the result. What memories and it was the highlight of the weekend. Still watch the highlights every so often to cheer myself up.

Ian: I was there that wet Sunday afternoon and not really looking forward to the match at all. How wrong I was. After that performance, I said that I had just witnessed a very special afternoon. Still to be surpassed.

Janet: What a day that was! I was running the Great North Run the next day but I couldn't resist going to celebrate after the game. The run hurt from beginning to end. It was my worst time by far but what a win!

Jules: It was great at the time, but are we going to continue to go on about beating Man Utd 5-0? It's a bit embarrassing.

Brian: Remember being sodden, from a hundred beers dripping off the ceiling in The Adelphi. My now passed brother turning to me after Albert scored: "It doesn't get much better than this."

William: I was in the car, parked on the roof of the Eldon Square multi-story car park, listening to the match on the radio while my parents were doing some business they needed to take care of. It was the most animated I had ever been when it came to football, and being able to hear the noise of the stadium permeate the whole city when a goal was scored, there's quite literally nowhere else on earth like it. Forever locked in my memory vault as a key childhood memory.

"Newcastle United are like a sieve in terms of being so easy to get at and play through," says former Magpies defender John Anderson.

Despite believing Matthias Jaissle's side didn't play "that badly" and showed "work rate and energy" in their 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa last time out, Anderson also thinks the "balance hasn't been there the past few games".

Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, he said: "Having a lot of the ball doesn't actually mean you are controlling a game. We had a lot of the ball against Aston Villa, but every time they broke they looked dangerous.

"We committed so many bodies forward that one pass was taking three or four of our players out of the game and all of a sudden Aston Villa were onto our back four.

"It is all about getting that balance right and it just hasn't been for the past few games. We are like a sieve in terms of being so easy to get at and play through."

Anderson added: "One result can change a lot - all it needs is one good win and all of a sudden you're back on track - but Matthias Jaissle seems very set in his ways at this moment in time.

"The reality is the system he is playing hasn't worked in the past few games. It is OK wanting to play a certain way, but if you don't have the players to play in that way effectively then it is a problem."

Listen to the full conversation above or listen on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Tuesday marks 30 years to the day since one of Newcastle's most iconic results.

Come to the stage if your surname is Albert, Ginola, Shearer, Ferdinand or Peacock as this day of all days belongs to you.

Newcastle destroyed Manchester United in the Tyneside rain in the type of fixture that proved so memorable, you can recall where you were, who you were with and what it all meant.

So, as fans, tell us what the footage or images of that day still mean to you now.

Get in touch with how the result makes you feel here

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Former England striker Lucy Ward spoke to BBC Radio 5 live about Newcastle's recent displays and the defeat to Aston Villa: "I don't think their attacking output is enough for the lack of strength in defence. They aren't creating enough or turning the possession they have in to clear cut chances.

"When they lose it in high positions, with the structure and the way they're set up, it makes it too easy for the opposition to get up the pitch quicky. As soon as you win the ball back against Newcastle, it's easy to get that first ball out.

"If you're playing against a counter attacking team, you put yourself at risk."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Newcastle defender John Anderson spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle after Saturday's defeat against Aston Villa: "I didn't think we played that badly.

"The work rate and energy levels are all there, but when Villa went 1-0 up, they controlled the game and kept the ball moving. It wasn't at 100 miles an hour and they took the sting out of the game; everything we seem to do is at 100 miles an hour. It's still a work in progress.

"You can't question the desire and the energy levels, it's just the final ball, decision making and a little lack of quality at the moment.

"I thought we defended well. In the first half, Villa looked like they could cause us problems because we were committing so many bodies forward but the two centre-backs did well. I think the manager will be disappointed with the goal, it's a really poor one to give away."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Newcastle United and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle United fans

Lee: The biggest concern for me is the midfield. We're getting overrun far too easily, and it's leaving the defence constantly exposed. The two-man midfield just isn't giving us enough control or physical presence. Surely it's time to go back to a three and make it harder to play through. Why can the manager not see what we are seeing?

Andy: The next game will tell us everything we need to know about the manager. Does he have the acumen to adopt a system that's not so open? We have regressed from being poor to shocking. Matthias Jaissle is a poor signing, which is not his fault.

Kevin: Not convinced by the manager's tactics. We've gone backwards. The owners also need to take a long hard look at themselves. Replacing key players with kids is not the answer. This is not the vision that PIF sold us.

Samuel: There are no excuses for losing when you have 16 shots in a game and decent possession. The fact that we only managed one shot on target is pretty poor. This performance felt akin to many we saw last season, in which the fundamental ingredients to win were there, but it just didn't happen for us. We had a surprisingly strong start to the season, without the pressure of European football to worry about. I'm not worried yet.

Aston Villa fans

Richard: Villa totally controlled the game against an overly aggressive Newcastle. Only Unai Emery could take a relegation threatened team and transform them into a top six team. To do it once is remarkable, but to then lose several key players and do it again is outstanding. Emery improves virtually every player in the squad. It's the best time to be a Villa supporter in the 55 years I have followed them and long may it last.

Matthew: A very solid performance. Tough physical test against a Newcastle team that has chosen brawn over brains due to losing its best players. How good would this Villa side be with Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa in it? Emery once again playing the perfect game.

Robert: We look better every game and there's every reason to believe we'll carry on improving. I hope Taylor Harwood-Bellis gets up to speed soon as our backline will need to be stronger against the top teams.

Blaine: Massive defensive stance from the boys. This team might not be perfect but that was the best defensive display from Villa in a long while. Zion Suzuki playing almost lights-out football. This team is really starting to come together. Man City will be the truest test to see if we're ready to say "we're just as good as you".

Newcastle United have been tracking Valencia's 19-year-old midfielder David Otorbi. (Marca - in Spanish), external

Barcelona are monitoring Benfica defender Daniel Banjaqui, 18, but may face competition from Premier League sides Newcastle and Manchester United. (Ekrem Konur), external

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

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Newcastle boss Matthias Jaissle, speaking to Sky Sports after their defeat: "It was, in fact, a game where we were dominating, overseeing a team giving a response, we made many situations where you saw we were about to win that game until we conceded the goal.

"We need to be honest - we were shaking a bit until half-time, but we showed again a good response. Second 45 minutes, really aggressive from our lads. We won the duels, unfortunately we were not smart enough in the final decision-making in the opposition box, so that is something we need to work on. We need to threaten the opposition much more when we have the ball in the final third. We had occasions but in the end, the lucky punch was missing."

On what he told his players at half-time: "Belief, purely belief, because the first 30 minutes was really good, until we conceded the goal actually. It's a bit typical for a young squad really, emotion-wise a bit shaky with ups and downs during a match, and we need to learn to find the reset straight away and consistently believe in the things we were doing before. I cannot say anything against the attitude but the goal is missing."

On Sven Botman's and Joelinton's first-half challenges and yellow cards: "Honestly, it was really fast, both actions. So I was in the beginning sure there was no foul from Joelinton, but it went so fast. The decision-making was clear from the referee and I think they checked even the foul from Sven, but I didn't see it right now."

On improving defensively: "I think in both areas, right? Because today we didn't score. Defensive-wise; I think the structure and discipline was good but not all the time, and in the Premier League against a strong opponent one occasion is enough to concede a goal and that was too easy - losing a man in the box, we need to put pressure on the cross. Again, we need to be more efficient offensive-wise."

On whether Dan Burn is close to returning to his role at centre-back after being played up front late in the match: "I think you're smart enough to know this was a tactical approach for the additional time. We went all in and in that occasion, I'm aware he is a centre-back, so don't doubt that.

"He is getting the physical back, which is really important for him. He was quite long out, but he is getting better and better physical wise. Hopefully, soon we can see him again in his natural position."

Did you know?

• Newcastle United have lost successive Premier League games for the first time since a four-game run in March/April last season; they'd only lost two of their previous nine league matches (W4 D3).

• Newcastle United are now without a home clean sheet in each of their last 16 games in all competitions; it's the longest run in their history.

Listen to more from Jaissle below or on BBC Sounds here

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

For Newcastle and Matthias Jaissle it has been a tough week.

They were embarrassed 4-1 at Coventry City on Monday as the newly promoted side gained their first home win since returning to the Premier League.

Jaissle said he wanted to see a reaction from his side, but would have been left disappointed with a poor opening 45 minutes that left Zion Suzuki untested in the away goal.

Indeed, Newcastle could have considered themselves fortunate to still have 11 men on the pitch after Sven Botman slid in and caught Nicolas Jackson, with the challenge going over the ball and catching the Senegal striker on the ankle.

On-pitch referee Jarred Gillett gave Botman a yellow card and it was reviewed by video assistant referee Stuart Attwell for dangerous play, but Botman escaped with just a booking.

In an interview immediately after the final whistle, Jackson said Botman's challenge "nearly broke my leg" but that he "was OK" and it was "part of football".

Botman was one of six Newcastle players to be booked, with Joelinton, captaining the Magpies for the first time in the Premier League, another player to see yellow.

Aston Villa were good value for their lead at the break, but Newcastle, at least, did improve in the second half - although there were further boos at the final whistle.

Botman had scored a superb goal in the loss at Coventry and was only denied his second goal of the week by a fine save from Suzuki.

Yoane Wissa also headed over and fired another chance wide but the hosts could not force an equaliser.

It was Jaissle's first home loss as Newcastle manager as the Magpies were beaten at St James' Park for the first time since a 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth on 18 April.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle says Sean Steur "needs time" to develop in the Premier League following his move from Ajax in the summer.

The 18-year-old impressed in the Magpies' 2-1 win against Hull City before the international break, but was left out of Monday's defeat by Coventry.

"He's knocking on the door due to his quality, he's shown that in training sessions" Jaissle said. "This is a player who I believe where he will give us so much joy and fun in the future at this club.

"But he needs time. He's had ups and downs already this season. He should continue developing."

Fellow summer signing Nico Gonzalez took Steur's place in the starting XI on Monday, but Jaissle insists the duo can play together in midfield.

"From the player profile, they are quite similar," he added. "Also due to their qualities and how they interpret the position, but there is also a potential to see both."

Winger Jacob Murphy's current deal at Newcastle United runs until next summer and the 31-year-old is close to agreeing a one-year extension. (Mail - subscription required), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist

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

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Bazoumana Toure is doing "much better" after coming off in Monday's defeat at Coventry and Jaissle hopes he can be available.

• On managing the minutes of returning players Joelinton and Dan Burn: "We missed them so much. Joelinton is now longer in training compared to Dan and these are the next steps for both of them to give them more game time. He added that it is probably "too soon" for Burn to secure a place in the starting XI but it is "different" for Joelinton.

• He provided an update on Antony Elanga's recovery from injury: "Now, it's the process is to bring back him back slowly but surely, in a smart way, and not too much in a hurry. Hopefully, next week, he is about to train again with the group, at least partially and we then integrate him again step by step."

• Jaissle was similarly cautious about Tino Livramento: "We know about his injury situation and history, but we're optimistic in the next few weeks we can bring him back step by step." Jacob Ramsey is further ahead in his recovery and the hope is he can "partially" join in with training next week.

• On bouncing back from the 4-1 defeat at Coventry: "It's never easy after conceding four goals to talk about the structure and what causes us the problems. Against Coventry, we made too many individual mistakes, you cannot talk about formation or technical approach. Even though we're a young squad, we need to learn fast."

• On Matias Fernandez-Pardo, who is searching for his first goal in English football: "Young lads coming to the Premier League for the first time need that adaptation time. I got advice that I should be patient at least half a year with them. Of course, you don't have the time in the Premier League so the development and adjustment needs to be as fast as possible. He's creating the chances and I think it's just a goal missing to give him the confidence back. He's an amazing player and he has so much potential."

Hit play above to hear more from Jaissle or listen on BBC Sounds here

Listen to full commentary of Newcastle v Aston Villa on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds on Saturday

All the key lines from Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

A new version of Blaydon Races has been recorded for matchdays at St James' Park.

BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Roberts spoke to Aaron Duff, the frontman of Hector Gannet, who have reproduced the song.

Listen above to hear from Duff and Newcastle fans or on BBC Sounds here

Manchester United and Arsenal are keeping a close eye on Newcastle United attacker Bazoumana Toure, despite the 20-year-old only having moved to St James' Park this summer. (CaughtOffside), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Imagine a world where Manchester City had not used "sham contracts" to build a team capable of winning three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and three EFL Cups.

If City were the winners, then there had to be losers - and not just those teams who finished runners-up or lost cup finals.

The potential impact runs much deeper and includes missed Champions League qualification, relegation and Premier League prize money.

Thirty-five other teams played in the English top flight between 2009 and 2018.

And every one could in some way claim to have been left financially out of pocket.

Learn more about how the numbers were calculated here