Newcastle vs Aston Villa: Both clubs enduring a rollercoaster rebuild ahead of meeting at St James' Park

Welcome aboard the rollercoaster that is a rebuild in the Premier League. Before we begin, please ensure your seatbelt is securely fastened and keep hands, arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times.

Newcastle and Aston Villa, who face each other live on Saturday Night Football, were two sides dismantled in the summer transfer window. Teams with clear identities, forced into new eras.

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The Magpies, after also losing Eddie Howe, retained 70 per cent of their league minutes from last season, the fifth-lowest figure, while Villa made the biggest change at just 49 per cent.

Now the two sides face off live on Sky Sports, with their form in the league to start the 2026/27 season fluctuating as a result of the upheaval they endured during the summer.

Here, Sky Sports dissects the turbulent time and outlines why more twists and turns are likely on the way.

Newcastle's strong start tapered off

The departures of players like Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon are one thing - but Newcastle's rebuild stretches far beyond that.

Howe announced his shock departure in pre-season, just under five years after taking charge and 25 days before the season began. The club were then forced to look for a new face in the dugout while also filling gaps on the pitch.

Matthias Jaissle was named as his successor and the early indications were positive.

Newcastle went unbeaten across their opening five games but a 4-1 loss at Leeds United offered a worrying insight into what could be to come.

In their last two away trips they have lost by the same scoreline. The first time since 2012 that Newcastle have conceded four or more goals in back-to-back Premier League away games.

The team look vulnerable defensively. No side has conceded more goals (13) and Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher blamed the "lack of physicality" in the squad after the loss at Coventry City, claiming they were "beaten up" on the road again.

Are Villa gathering pace?

In contrast, Villa started slowly without a league goal scored until the 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on September 12.

Slow starts are not uncharted territory for Emery. Last season, they didn't score in the league until September 21.

A chastening 4-0 loss to high-flying Brighton in their opener sparked alarm bells after losing Emiliano Martinez, Lucas Digne, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins.

A loss against Arsenal, a draw at newly-promoted Hull City and the defeat to Forest followed before a cup victory at Coventry stirred a degree of confidence to beat Tottenham prior to the international break.

Villa are by no means the finished article, but with new signings Nicolas Jackson, Johan Manzambi and Zion Suzuki all impressing, their slow start is beginning to gather pace.

The blistering performance to beat Fenerbahce 6-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday proved the levels this newly-formed squad can reach - consistency is the next obstacle for Emery to tackle.

Two rebuilds moving at different paces, taking turns at different moments across the early parts of this season. There are plenty more to come.

The struggles plaguing both sides

The stop-start form in the Premier League highlights each team's shortcomings.

Newcastle have more errors leading to shots than any other side (14). Villa follow closely in second with 13. The two clubs are joint for errors leading to goals with three apiece.

These figures point to disjointed squads, unfamiliar with the fresh faces around them and their instinctive actions, and errors arise as a result.

The disconnect continues in other areas of the pitch. Villa have managed the fewest shots on target of any team (19) and Newcastle aren't far behind them with 24.

Creating those chances is clearly an issue, with Emery's side recording the joint-fewest big chances (9), while Newcastle's 12 is the fourth worst.

Only Fulham have a worse big chance conversion rate than Newcastle (16.7 per cent), too.

The common theme for both rebuilds

One common theme combines the two rebuilds which could explain their stumbling form so far.

After seeing key parts of their squad stripped away, the spines of the team that they would usually rely on, they have been forced to recruit new talents that will need time to produce on a regular basis in the top flight.

The average age of the eight players signed this summer for Newcastle is 21.4. Asking them to replace the experience that Guimaraes, 28, and Tonali, 26, have at this level is no mean feat.

Villa have a similar problem. A rejuvenation of their ageing squad was needed but replicating the same consistency that Emery's side are known for is a difficult task while embedding young talent.

The average age of the senior players they sold this summer is 29, whereas the 11 new recruits brought in were 23. A figure which would be even lower if it wasn't for the signings of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 28, and Leon Goretzka, 31.

The new recruits have shown their talent in flashes. Johan Manzambi's performance at Spurs on his first start, with a goal and assist, exemplified that. Bazoumana Toure's two goals for Newcastle have also shown he is capable of delivering.

But while the new signings settle into their new environments - and with injuries to key players also playing their part - both teams are attempting to find a balance between slowly integrating new signings and needing immediate results in the Premier League.

Newcastle and Villa are strapped in for a bumpy ride. The talent is there but there are plenty of twists and turns on the horizon - their meeting at St James' Park is just the next one.

Watch Newcastle vs Aston Villa live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League from 5pm on Saturday. Kick-off 5.30pm.

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Newcastle vs Aston Villa: Both clubs enduring a rollercoaster rebuild ahead of meeting at St James' Park