Unai Emery makes big top four claim about Newcastle ahead of Premier League opener

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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery believes Newcastle United’s objectives have massively changed ahead of this weekend’s Premier League opener.

The Magpies welcome Villa to St James’ Park, with Eddie Howe sweating on the fitness of Fabian Schar going into the first game of the season. He has not been pictured in training this week.

Regardless, Newcastle will be keen to get off to a good start, just like they did last year. Howe’s side kicked off the 2022/23 campaign with a 2-0 win over Forest, and went on to eventually finish fourth.

Now the Magpies are a Champions League team, and there is an expectation that they will once again challenge near the top end of the table.

That is what Emery is expecting, as he piles the pressure on during his pre-match press conference.

Unai Emery looking forward to Newcastle ‘challenge’

Emery has spoke to the media ahead of Saturday’s game, and was asked about starting the season away to Newcastle United.

“Starting against Newcastle is a very good challenge for us,” he said.

“It’s difficult and I’m very excited about how we can face the match, analysing them, the match we played in pre-season and the last two matches they played in pre-season last week.

“They are feeling strong at home and their objective has now changed completely from two years before. They have to be in the top four.”

Another top four finish is not expected for Newcastle

While expectations have changed on Tyneside, it is rather bold for Emery to say that the Magpies ‘have to be in the top four’.

Of course, that is the ambition, but it certainly is not a requirement. It is going to be even harder to finish in the top four this season, with the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea certain to improve. There is also the threat posed by Emery’s Villa side, who finished the previous campaign very strongly.

It is probably just a bit of mind games from Emery. He is talking up Newcastle, putting them under pressure to deliver. All the while, it would make a win for his side look even more impressive.

But for Howe and Newcastle, the focus will be on starting the season strongly. The ambition will be to continue improving, and if that results in another year of Champions League football then so be it.

However, it certainly is not where Newcastle ‘have’ to finish.