The Mag Podcast Episode 11: Newcastle United and Aston Villa, Rivalry, Transfers and Man City fallout

Episode 11: The Mag Pod Special: Newcastle United and Aston Villa. Rivalry, Transfers and the Manchester City fallout

Published: 14/10/2026 | Duration: 66 mins | Hosts: Jamie Smith, Simon Cahill & David Hutchinson (Guest: Chris Budd)

In Episode 11 of The Mag Pod, Chris Budd from the My Old Man Said Podcast joins Jamie, Simon, and Hutch to preview Saturday’s clash at St James’ Park, explore the growing Newcastle–Villa rivalry, and debate PSR spending rules and the Manchester City financial charges.

You can play episode 11 on the audio player above or use your favourite podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, YouTube, and Acast.

Newcastle United and Aston Villa’s growing rivalry, the challenges of rebuilding two ambitious Premier League clubs and the potential fallout from Manchester City’s financial charges take centre stage in this special crossover edition of The Mag Pod.

Joined by Chris Budd from Aston Villa podcast My Old Man Said, the lads look ahead to Saturday’s meeting at St James’ Park, revisit the clubs’ shared history and ask whether either side can break through the Premier League’s established hierarchy.

There’s plenty of common ground between Newcastle and Villa, from difficult ownership eras and Championship football to European adventures and long-awaited silverware. But there’s also some unfinished business, particularly around Newcastle’s relegation at Villa Park in 2009 and the bad blood that followed.

The conversation moves into the modern era, comparing Eddie Howe’s Newcastle with Unai Emery’s Villa and exploring how both clubs have been forced to adapt following significant departures. With wealthy owners but financial regulations restricting their spending, are Newcastle and Villa being prevented from building on their success?

That leads into a lively debate about Manchester City’s financial case, the fairness of Premier League spending rules and what appropriate punishments might look like if wrongdoing is established. The panel considers whether the current system protects the traditional elite and whether a major shake-up could create opportunities for ambitious challengers.

Attention eventually turns to Saturday’s Newcastle v Aston Villa fixture. Chris offers an insight into Villa’s rebuilt squad, Emery’s evolving tactics and the players Newcastle United fans should watch, while the lads weigh up home advantage, European commitments and the unpredictability of two teams in transition.

There’s also time to discuss what success might look like for both clubs this season, the value of European football and why winning trophies means so much more than simply balancing the books.

A good-humoured crossover with plenty of football debate, shared frustrations and a healthy dose of Newcastle–Villa rivalry.

Key Moments
00:22 – Introduction and My Old Man Said
04:45 – Supporting Newcastle and Villa through the bad times
07:23 – Newcastle United v Aston Villa: A shared history
08:30 – Newcastle’s 2009 relegation at Villa Park
12:22 – Relegation, Championship football and rebuilding
16:18 – Newcastle and Villa’s modern resurgence
16:44 – Eddie Howe v Unai Emery
20:42 – Could Villa lose Unai Emery?
24:08 – Summer departures and rebuilding both squads
28:00 – Financial rules and the Premier League hierarchy
33:28 – Manchester City’s financial charges
38:11 – The traditional elite and football’s changing landscape
42:31 – Sympathy for Manchester City supporters?
46:02 – What punishment should Manchester City face?
51:08 – Newcastle United v Aston Villa preview
52:31 – Villa’s form and match predictions
55:23 – Aston Villa’s players to watch
58:29 – Newcastle’s home advantage
59:26 – Villa’s ambitions for the season
01:01:58 – Champions League, Europa League and the value of trophies
01:05:24 – Final thoughts and sign-off

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