Howe relishing Premier League return ahead of Villa trip | OneFootball

The Magpies travel to Villa Park to face Unai Emery's men, who finished one place below United last season via goal difference, and will be aiming to replicate a similar result to their opening weekend of the 2023/24 campaign - a 5-1 victory against the Villans at St. James' Park.

Howe confirmed Malick Thiaw, who joined United from AC Milan earlier this week, will be part of United's travelling squad to the West Midlands this weekend and will be hopeful of recording a fourth successive opening day victory following respective triumphs over Nottingham Forest, Villa and Southampton.

Here are some of the boss' main talking points from Friday morning's pre-match media briefing, held at the Newcastle United Media Centre...

On the return of the Premier League...

"It's great to be back. When you look through the summer, you think it is going to be a long break and pre-season, but it kind of flashes by and here we are.

"Lots of work has been going on behind-the-scenes, the players are ready to play and we are looking forward to the challenge ahead."

On team news, including summer signing Thiaw...

"Everyone is available apart from Joe [Willock] and he's not too far away himself. We have a relatively good looking squad in terms of injury news. We've worked the players hard, they've been challenged through pre-season but the majority have come through.

"Malick [Thiaw] will be part of the squad. He has trained two days, never easy coming in right at the end of pre-season because a lot of our work is already done and our structures are in place but but he's doing well."

On the start to the 2025/26 season...

"You look at the first few on the calendar and they are tough games for us. It also sharpens your focus and you know when you're working through pre-season, it's to get everything right for that first game because you know the quality of the opposition.

"We have had some really tough battles against them. They've had successes and we've had successes and it's going to be a really tight game but one we hope we can do well in."

On Alexander Isak...

"There's no change to the situation. All of my focus has been on the training, Aston Villa and the transfer front in terms of trying to get players in. You can imagine what that is all consuming. Alex's situation has been unchanged for a while and that continues to be the case.

"I've had a great relationship with Alex. We need to have that partnership with every player. I have to work closely with the players and try to improve, educate and sometimes console them. There's so many different emotions that players go through and I always want to be there for them in every way.

"I don't think he would have done as well as he has without that and without his teammates, the supporters and backing of the football club. He recognises that. He's a highly intelligent person and knows he wouldn't have that success here without everybody connected with Newcastle."

On early season expectations...

"Progression, improvement, more control in our performances, more dominant displays. We want to score goals, and to attack.

"The league is so hard, the challenges are difficult. I feel we will be stronger when we have our full compliment of players. We need to find ways to win games when we are not playing our best."