Newcastle United sent transfer warning as Unai Emery’s Aston Villa issue is laid bare

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Newcastle United must pay close attention to what is happening at Aston Villa right now.

The two clubs have been closely linked in recent years. Newcastle United qualified for the Champions League, then Aston Villa did it. Newcastle tried to appoint Unai Emery, then Aston Villa did what the Magpies failed to do.

They are two clubs that are upsetting the status quo, but there is an issue emerging at Villa Park that Eddie Howe must keep an eye on as Toon officials make tentative transfer plans for the summer of 2025.

Newcastle must take note of Aston Villa’s striker issue

Right now, Aston Villa have two top level strikers – Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran.

They are both exceptional goalscorers, but keeping them both happy is proving to be extremely difficult. It is even more difficult due to the fact that Unai Emery only plays with one forward.

There are rumours that one of them could leave, with Duran attracting interest from the likes of Chelsea and West Ham.

That is the problem when you have two top tier strikers but can only fit one of them in the starting XI. It means one of them is always going to be left disappointed, and it can lead to discontent.

Newcastle United need to sign a striker in 2025

While it is hardly the biggest dilemma that you could have, it is something that Newcastle United must take note of.

As it stands, Alexander Isak is Newcastle’s main striker. While he is currently out injured, Callum Wilson would ordinarily be the Swede’s understudy.

However, that is likely to change in the summer. Wilson is out of contract at the end of the season, and even if the club offer him an extension, it would only be with a view to selling him for a fee.

That would then mean that Eddie Howe needs to replace him, with Newcastle linked with Jonathan David. There has also been speculation over former target Benjamin Sesko.

While they would be staggering signings, they are exactly what Newcastle United do not want in a striker – as long as they expect Isak to remain at St James’ Park.

What Newcastle need is an understudy. A backup option. They need someone who can support and push Isak, without being upset that they are not starting every week.

It is a delicate balance, as it means you are signing a player who knows they are not going to start most weeks. It is a difficult situation, but one that the Magpies must get right.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is an option for Newcastle, and he feels ideal to fill the void that Callum Wilson could leave behind. While Jonathan David would be a dream addition to Eddie Howe’s squad, signing a player of his calibre just does not make sense.