Newcastle United told whether Malick Thiaw and Yoane Wissa will sign in time to face Aston Villa

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Eddie Howe is in desperate need of reinforcements ahead of Newcastle United’s Premier League opener against Aston Villa.

The Magpies return to competitive action on Saturday, with Villa Park the destination for the first game of the season. It is a tough start for Newcastle United, who have endured an even tougher summer.

Newcastle have missed out on big targets, with just two senior players arriving at the club. They are Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale.

But there is hope for more deals. Newcastle want three signings before the window closes on 1st September, with two of those deals potentially going through this week.

There is ‘hope’ Newcastle United could sign Yoane Wissa before Aston Villa opener

Newcastle are set to sign Malick Thiaw from AC Milan. He has been on Tyneside for a medical, with the £34million deal for the defender expected to go through very soon.

According to Sky Sports’ Keith Downie on his YouTube channel, there is also still a chance that Yoane Wissa could sign for Newcastle before Saturday’s game against Aston Villa.

“I’ve been getting told for days now that this is getting closer, but still Brentford are digging in until they can get a replacement themselves,” he said.

“The whole thing is a domino effect. I still think the Wissa one can happen quickly as soon as they get a player in. They’re obviously trying to sign Dango Ouattara. I’m told he could potentially be having a medical in the next couple of days from one source. If that happens, I believe that will allow Wissa to move to Newcastle.

“There is still hope you could get him in before the weekend and he could be in the squad as well for that match against Aston Villa.”

• Who is Yoane Wissa? Newcastle United’s £55m Alexander Isak replacement

How many new signings will start for Newcastle United against Aston Villa?

Even if Wissa does follow Thiaw through the door at St James’ Park this weekend, it would be a huge surprise if either player started against Aston Villa.

Howe will likely go with Dan Burn and Fabian Schar at centre-back, while Anthony Gordon looks set to start as a striker. Although Wissa could potentially sign and be in the squad, his disrupted pre-season will mean he is not ready to start for the Magpies.

In truth, the only summer signing that feels likely to start on Saturday is Anthony Elanga. He became one of Newcastle’s most expensive signings ever after arriving for £55million from Nottingham Forest, and should be deployed on the right of attack.

Some will argue that Aaron Ramsdale should start too, but Nick Pope is expected to be Newcastle’s number one for the start of the 2025/26 season.