Alan Shearer explains selection of this Newcastle United star | OneFootball

Alan Shearer has chosen the eleven players who most impressed him in this past weekend’s round of matches in the top tier.

The player turned pundit naming his Premier League team of the week.

The NUFC legend including one player who stood out in the Aston Villa 0 Newcastle 0 match.

As Newcastle United put in a very good away performance against tough opponents, picking up a great point and they deserved all three.

David Raya (Arsenal) “Outstanding as he kept Manchester United at bay, making fabulous saves to deny debutants Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo and earn a clean sheet.”

Dan Ballard (Sunderland) “It pains me to choose two Sunderland players, but Ballard had to be included – he was immense. Made an impressive goal-line clearance from El Hadji Malick Diouf when it was 0-0 and then scored a thumping header to double Sunderland’s lead.”

Dan Burn (Newcastle) “Solid as a rock in defence. He won every challenge and every header to frustrate Villa.”

Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace) “Real authority at the back in a dominant defensive display that thwarted Chelsea’s attacking threat.”

Mohammed Kudus (Spurs) “Two great assists for Richarlison. Burnley had the best defence in the Championship last season but couldn’t handle his pace and trickery.”

Habib Diarra (Sunderland) “Ran the show at the heart of Sunderland’s midfield. He broke into the box with power and purpose.”

Tijjani Reijnders (Man City) “He was off the scale. A class act. Man City have a top, top player here.”

Antoine Semenyo (AFC Bournemouth) “Impressive all night and scored two great goals to bring Bournemouth right back into the match.”

Richarlison (Spurs) “A bit-part player last season but he’s made a brilliant start to this campaign, scoring twice – including a stunning scissor kick.”

Erling Haaland (Man City) “New season, more goals. Haaland is up and running already!”

Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest) “Picked up where he left off last season and scored two goals with a couple of assured finishes.”

Manager: Regis Le Bris (Sunderland) “Premier League debuts don’t get much better than this for managers – three goals, a clean sheet and a winning start.”

Aston Villa 0 Newcastle 0 – Saturday 16 August 2025 12.30pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Villa

Konsa red card 66

(Stats in brackets are at half-time)

Possession was Newcastle 59% (58%) Villa 41% (42%)

Total shots were Newcastle 16 (8) Villa 3 (0)

Shots on target were Newcastle 3 (2) Villa 3 (0)

Corners were Newcastle 6 (3) Villa 3 (2)

Touches in the box Newcastle 33 (18) Villa 14 (5)

Newcastle team v Aston Villa:

Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Joelinton (Miley 83), Tonali, Bruno, Barnes (Osula 90), Gordon, Elanga (Jacob Murphy 78)

Unused subs:

Ramsdale, Hall, Botman, Thiaw, Krafth, Seung-soo

(BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after Aston Villa 0-0…Read HERE)

(Aston Villa 0 Newcastle 0 – Match ratings and comments on all Newcastle United players – Read HERE)

(Aston Villa 0 Newcastle 0 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)

(Match Report – United’s demise much exaggerated as by far the better team – It ends Aston Villa 0 Newcastle 0 – Read HERE)

Saturday 16 August – Aston Villa 0 Newcastle 0

Saturday 30 August – Leeds v Newcastle (5.30pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 13 September – Newcastle v Wolves (3pm)