Alan Shearer predicts where newcastle will finish just after their goalless draw with aston villa

**Alan Shearer Predicts Newcastle’s Final Premier League Position After Goalless Draw with Aston Villa**

Newcastle United’s 2025/26 Premier League campaign has been a rollercoaster of emotions, with the Magpies showing flashes of brilliance but also facing challenges in maintaining consistency. Following their recent goalless draw against Aston Villa, Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has shared his thoughts on where he believes his former club will finish in the Premier League table this season.

### A Hard-Fought Draw at Villa Park

The stalemate at Villa Park was a tightly contested affair, with both Newcastle and Aston Villa creating chances but failing to find the back of the net. For Newcastle, the result marked a continuation of their resilient defensive performances but highlighted ongoing concerns about their lack of cutting edge in attack. The draw left Newcastle in a competitive position in the race for European qualification, but with several teams vying for the top spots, every point is crucial.

Speaking on *The Rest Is Football* podcast alongside Gary Lineker and Micah Richards, Shearer reflected on the match and its implications for Newcastle’s season. While acknowledging the disappointment of not securing all three points, he remained optimistic about the Magpies’ prospects, emphasizing their potential to secure a strong finish in the Premier League.

### Shearer’s Prediction: A Top-Six Finish

Despite the goalless draw, Shearer believes Newcastle are well-positioned to secure a top-six finish in the 2025/26 Premier League season. “I’ve got them fifth or sixth,” Shearer stated, echoing sentiments he expressed earlier in the season when discussing Newcastle’s chances. He highlighted the team’s strong midfield, led by players like Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali, and their ability to compete with the league’s best when at their peak.[](https://www.geordiebootboys.com/news/alan-shearer-in-disbelief-as-gary-lineker-predicts-where-newcastle-will-finish-in-the-premier-league/)

Shearer’s confidence stems from Newcastle’s historic 2024/25 campaign, which saw them end a 70-year wait for major silverware with a Carabao Cup victory and secure a top-five finish, earning Champions League football. However, he cautioned that the lack of squad depth, particularly in attack, could be a limiting factor. The uncertainty surrounding star striker Alexander Isak’s future has been a significant talking point, with Shearer noting that retaining the Swedish international will be crucial for Newcastle’s ambitions. “They’ve got to keep him, and I’m pretty certain they will,” Shearer said, citing the allure of Champions League football as a key factor in keeping Isak at St James’ Park.[](https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/alan-shearer-bold-prediction-future-newcastle-united-star-arsenal-5148492)[](https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/alan-shearer-bold-prediction-future-newcastle-united-star-arsenal-5148492)

### Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

The goalless draw against Aston Villa exposed some of Newcastle’s vulnerabilities, particularly their reliance on Isak for goals. With only Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale arriving as senior signings in the summer transfer window, the squad has struggled to add the depth needed to compete on multiple fronts. Shearer acknowledged the difficulties of the transfer market, noting that Aston Villa’s ability to bring in high-profile players like Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio, and Donyell Malen gave them an edge in energy and quality during their recent clashes.[](https://www.geordiebootboys.com/news/alan-shearer-in-disbelief-as-gary-lineker-predicts-where-newcastle-will-finish-in-the-premier-league/)[](https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2025/04/21/hopefully-theyll-battle-back-shearer-confident-in-newcastles-champions-league-hopes-after-villa-defeat/)

However, Shearer remains confident that Newcastle can bounce back, pointing to their favorable upcoming fixtures as an opportunity to regain momentum. A home game against Ipswich Town, a side struggling in the Premier League, offers a chance to secure vital points. “If you’ve been battered like Newcastle were in their last loss to Villa, you’d want a home game against one of the teams who’ve had a terrible season,” Shearer remarked, urging the team to focus on the task ahead.[](https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2025/04/21/hopefully-theyll-battle-back-shearer-confident-in-newcastles-champions-league-hopes-after-villa-defeat/)

### The Race for Champions League Football

With Liverpool running away with the Premier League title, the battle for the remaining Champions League spots is heating up. Newcastle are in contention alongside Manchester City, Aston Villa, Chelsea, and Nottingham Forest for the top-four places. Shearer believes that Newcastle, along with Manchester City and Aston Villa, are likely to secure Champions League qualification, while Chelsea and Forest may miss out. “It’s hard to predict, but my guess is Chelsea and Forest may miss out,” he said on *Match of the Day 2*.[](https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2025/04/21/alan-shearer-predicts-final-top-five-after-bad-weekend-for-newcastle/)[](https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2025/04/21/alan-shearer-predicts-final-top-five-after-bad-weekend-for-newcastle/)

The draw against Villa, while not ideal, keeps Newcastle in the conversation for a top-four finish. Their lack of domestic and continental cup commitments compared to their rivals gives them an advantage in terms of fixture congestion, allowing Eddie Howe’s side to focus solely on their Premier League campaign.[](https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2025/04/21/alan-shearer-predicts-final-top-five-after-bad-weekend-for-newcastle/)

### Eddie Howe’s Role and Fan Expectations

Under Eddie Howe’s leadership, Newcastle have transformed from relegation battlers to genuine contenders for European football. Shearer praised Howe’s impact, noting that the manager’s ability to navigate financial constraints and build a competitive squad has been remarkable. The Carabao Cup triumph and consistent top-six challenges have raised expectations on Tyneside, with fans dreaming of more silverware and a sustained presence among Europe’s elite.[](https://nufcnow.com/gary-lineker-makes-crazy-newcastle-united-prediction-that-sends-alan-shearer-into-a-meltdown/)

Shearer’s optimism is shared by many Newcastle supporters, who see the goalless draw as a minor setback in an otherwise promising season. However, he warned that the team must address their attacking woes to maintain their position in the race for Champions League football. The potential signing of a striker like Yoane Wissa could bolster their forward line, but Shearer believes that keeping Isak fit and firing is non-negotiable.[](https://www.geordiebootboys.com/news/alan-shearer-in-disbelief-as-gary-lineker-predicts-where-newcastle-will-finish-in-the-premier-league/)

### Looking Ahead

As Newcastle prepare for their next challenge, Shearer’s prediction of a fifth or sixth-place finish reflects both his confidence in the team’s potential and the realities of a fiercely competitive Premier League. The goalless draw against Aston Villa may have been a missed opportunity, but it has not dampened Shearer’s belief in Newcastle’s ability to secure European football once again.

With key matches against Ipswich, Brighton, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Everton on the horizon, Newcastle have the chance to prove their mettle. If they can capitalize on their home form and find a solution to their goal-scoring issues, Shearer’s prediction could well come to fruition, cementing Newcastle’s status as a rising force in English football.[](https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/alan-shearer-newcastle-united-aston-villa-reaction-5091247)

For now, the Magpies must regroup, refocus, and channel their energy into the battles ahead. As Shearer aptly put it, “The quicker Newcastle forget about [setbacks] and move on, the better.” With the support of their passionate fanbase and the guidance of Eddie Howe, Newcastle United are poised to make this season another memorable one.[](https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2025/04/21/hopefully-theyll-battle-back-shearer-confident-in-newcastles-champions-league-hopes-after-villa-defeat/)