There were loud chants of “one greedy b******” and the “Premier League, corrupt as f**k” with Aston Villa v Newcastle ending in a 0-0 draw.
The Magpies couldn’t capitalise on Villa’s Ezri Konsa being sent off in the 66th minute for denying Anthony Gordon a goalscoring opportunity.
The absence of striker Alexander Isak, who’s refused to play amid transfer interest from Liverpool, was keenly felt as Newcastle created early chances but couldn’t score, while there was also chants from the away end about him.
Villa struggled offensively, with new goalkeeper Marco Bizot making key saves.
Both sets of fans protested Premier League PSR rules, which have limited spending and forced sales. Before the game, Villa boss Unai Emery also criticised PSR in his notes, arguing it hinders ambitious clubs.
😡 “There’s only one greedy b******” from the NUFC end on full-time pic.twitter.com/gPhQhNQy4V
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) August 16, 2025
Chants of “Premier League, corrupt as f**k” echo around at Villa Park from both fans. #AVLNEW #AstonVilla #NewcastleUnited #AVFC #NUFC https://t.co/Oid441kJKL pic.twitter.com/XGjBj3Xc70
— #ALAYLM (@SmileyMimi) August 16, 2025
Chants of “Premier League, corrupt as f**k” echo around at Villa Park from both fans. #AVLNEW #AstonVilla #NewcastleUnited #AVFC #NUFC https://t.co/Oid441kJKL pic.twitter.com/XGjBj3Xc70
— #ALAYLM (@SmileyMimi) August 16, 2025
Both fans are said to have sung ‘the Premier League, corrupt as f***’ over struggles with PSR rules.
Newcastle fans also chanted after the final whistle: “There’s only one greedy b******”.
Emery said over PSR before the game: “Financial control rules came to football to avoid bankruptcies and payment defaults, with a good purpose.
“But, as professionals, we should review it, for this good tool will become a limitation for the clubs that are doing good management who will never be allowed to dream and get higher goals because the revenue, key for these financial rules, needs time to come to reality after sporting success”.
Emery said per Sky Sports before the game: “No, I’m not frustrated. I accept the rules, I accept where we are and how we are competing and how we are being ambitious in our capacity to compete with the better teams in the Premier League and in Europe.
“I think you have to be proud of everything we are doing. But of course, everything we did for me is done now, we have to do it again and again and again and it’s starting again for me to beat these teams and to build, through the result, good performances and try to get our title we have.
“But I am motivated and excited, I am not frustrated. I accept it always and I accept it now, how we are competing against our opponents and how we are as well, more or less, connecting with our supporters.
“I think we have to build our emotions together with our supporters with everything we are doing and if we are being frustrated, of course, we have to accept something to be frustrated.
“It’s right that I am being frustrated, but my frustration is only for a few hours. I am waking up so quick after my frustration.
“The transfer window is finishing for every team [on] September 1 at 7pm – I know the time.
“We have to be alert, we have to be always, in case we can add some opportunity players. To bring them to help us increasing our level, our capacity in the squad.
“But we have to mix the rules of the UEFA and the capacity and the possibility we can have some good players in the first half to help us.”
“Our owners want to spend more.”
💰 PSR challenges
📈 Competing at the top
🌍 European objectivesUnai Emery, Monchi and Damian Vidagany discuss moving forward with Villa to @DannyJamieson 👊 pic.twitter.com/HOjM62d2Ma
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 16, 2025
Eddie Howe said a week ago: “We’re controlled by PSR. That’s still limiting what we can do and that’s the reality.
“I’ve said many times, we’re not the highest payers in the league. We’re far from it and that is sometimes reflected in the choices players make.
“I don’t think there’s many players who have come here and haven’t benefitted from the experience Newcastle can give you.
“Playing in front of these supporters, that’s an absolute privilege and an honour that’s never lost on me. It’s a special place to be. Some players have a different choice. Finances play a part in that.”
Speaking after the 0-0 draw with Villa, when questioned about the latest on Isak’s future, Howe said, per Sky Sports: “Nothing has changed. The door is well and truly open.
“He has to decide what he wants to do. We would like a resolution. We need that clarity. You don’t need any kind of distraction.
“I am not in control of that. There is one person who can control that. Let’s wait and see. I have made my stance clear. I am concentrating on the team.”
Eddie Howe on chants towards Isak: “Whatever happens (with Isak) our supporters acted really well today because they supported the team when we were playing. They’ve always done that unbelievably well. If they want to say something afterwards, they are free to do that”
“You can’t be happy losing two points at home, but with the red card, you have to accept it.”
Unai Emery on Aston Villa’s season opener 🗣️@julesbreach | Watch live on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/cgPmRyg7xx
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 16, 2025
Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon speaking to TNT Sports:
“It has been difficult because we’re a tight-knit group. But you see today, we’ve still got that spirit and togetherness.
“That will never go, regardless of individuals. We’re still together. Things like this can make you better in the end.”
“It’s a difficult one to answer. I hope it’s resolved quickly, because it’s news around us all the time.”
Eddie Howe wants clarity on Alexander Isak’s future at Newcastle 🗞️@julesbreach | Watch live on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/aC9r9TDX6L
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 16, 2025
“We’ve never had any problems publicly and it’s tested us”
Anthony Gordon insists Newcastle’s spirit and togetherness remains strong despite the ongoing Alexander Isak situation 💪@julesbreach | Watch live on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/c7okHdP9Ar
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 16, 2025
Here’s how fans reacted as Villa v Newcastle had chants of “one greedy b******” and the “Premier League, corrupt as f**k”…
@pmal5098: Couldn’t be any better word’s chanted ⚫️⚪️⚫️
@rooney03: So proud I was singing this. This club is my club. #NUFC
@BackseatsmanLFC: Great that they’ve already got a chant for Wissa
@lfcmike__: Imagine thinking the reason why a footballer wants to move from Newcastle to Liverpool is the money. Absolutely no self awareness 😂
@louroll89ffs: So he wanted the money he was promised after being valued at £150m?? How greedy of him 😡
@TheAnfieldWrap: Greedy for the big trophies 🏆
@DavidCA_lfc: Rejecting limitless Saudi wealth in favour of a move which won’t even make him top 2 highest earners at his potential new club = greedy
@MonteCarNUFC: Never in my wildest dreams would I see Isak be hated more than Michael Owen. Yet here we are with the match going away fans making it known he’s fucked it
@arrongo1068: THERE’S ONLY ONE AMBITIOUS PLAYER. he fucking told the board a year ago he wants out. He then told them again 2 weeks before the end of the season.
@Sean_C_7: Gordon refused to train for Everton to force a move to Newcastle btw, as is Wissa.
@lewieblue: Greedy? He’s asked for improved terms & to be paid like a player that’s the best in his position in the league, like a player valued north of £100m. Newcastle backtracked on a new contract & even tho he informed you he wanted to move months ago, they’ve painted him the villain
@Magpie24_7: Yeah, I don’t see Isak coming back from this if he DOESN’T leave this summer. #NUFC
@Jay82_LFC: Happy to allow Wissa to downtools. Also forget it’s @NUFC not Isak who failed to sign Pedro, Ekitike, Delap, Sesko etc. Only have the club to blame for their inadequacy.
