Sky Sport drops update on official Newcastle United change that will anger Aston Villa fans – the reality is so different
The Rise of Newcastle and Aston Villa: The End of the Traditional ‘Big Six’?
Despite Newcastle United suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Everton on the final day of the Premier League season, their rivals for Champions League qualification, Aston Villa, also endured a bitterly frustrating end to their campaign. Villa were controversially beaten by Manchester United at Old Trafford, a result that ultimately denied them a coveted top-five finish and a place in next season’s Champions League. The match was marred by controversial officiating decisions, including a red card shown to goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez and a disallowed goal by Morgan Rogers that would have put Villa in the lead. In the end, fate did not favour Unai Emery’s men, as Newcastle narrowly edged them out for the final Champions League berth — a spot made possible due to English clubs’ strong showings in European competitions the previous season, particularly Villa’s own run.
This intense battle between Newcastle and Aston Villa for European spots has become emblematic of a broader shift in the Premier League’s competitive landscape. Once considered mere challengers to the elite, both clubs have firmly established themselves as genuine top-tier contenders in recent seasons. Matches between Newcastle and Villa have increasingly become must-watch events, not just for their competitiveness but for what they represent in the evolving power dynamics of English football.
In terms of head-to-head meetings, the rivalry has been fiercely contested. Newcastle have registered dominant victories over Villa in recent years, including 4-0, 5-1, 3-1, and 3-0 triumphs. Yet Villa have also had their moments of superiority, defeating the Magpies 3-0 and 4-1 at Villa Park within the same timeframe. These results underscore the fact that both teams are capable of outclassing the other on their day.
Moreover, both sides have consistently finished within the Premier League’s top seven over the past three campaigns. This level of consistency has prompted fresh debates among fans and pundits alike about the validity of the so-called “Big Six” — a term historically used to describe Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur.
In recognition of the shifting hierarchy, Sky Sports recently introduced the idea of the “Big Seven,” adding Newcastle United to the mix. This rebranding was not without merit. Newcastle secured a fourth-place finish in the 2022–23 season and followed it up with a seventh-place finish, while also securing silverware with a Carabao Cup victory in March. In terms of points accumulated over the past three seasons, Newcastle trail only Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal among the traditional powerhouses, further reinforcing their claim to elite status.
However, if Newcastle’s inclusion is based on recent performance, then Aston Villa have every right to be part of the conversation as well. Under Unai Emery’s stewardship, Villa have emerged as one of the most exciting and resilient teams in the league. Over the past three seasons, they have achieved finishes of seventh, fourth, and sixth, and more impressively, reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. Their European exploits and domestic consistency point to a club that is no longer merely overachieving — they are firmly among England’s top footballing institutions.
The 2024–25 season kicks off with a mouth-watering fixture between these two resurgent clubs. Newcastle and Aston Villa will meet on the opening day in a high-profile clash broadcast live on TNT Sports at 12:30pm. The matchup serves as a symbolic passing of the torch — a representation of how the Premier League’s upper tier is no longer a closed circle.
Indeed, the notion of the ‘Big Six’ has increasingly come under scrutiny. In only one of the past six Premier League seasons have all six of those clubs actually finished in the top six. While the traditional big names still dominate revenue charts — thanks to global fanbases, commercial deals, and historical success — financial clout alone no longer guarantees supremacy on the pitch.
Take Tottenham Hotspur, for example. They endured a woeful domestic campaign, finishing 17th in the league, but salvaged their season by lifting the Europa League. Manchester United, similarly, have finished as low as eighth and even 15th in recent years, yet continue to collect silverware and remain one of the most globally supported and decorated clubs in the game.
But performances, not past prestige, are beginning to dictate the narrative. Newcastle and Aston Villa have not only broken into the conversation — they’ve kicked the door down. As the Premier League evolves, the distinction between legacy and current form becomes ever more pronounced. The rise of these clubs signals a new era where the traditional hierarchy is no longer sacrosanct and where the term ‘Big Six’ may soon become a relic of the past.