Newcastle boss Eddie Howe says his players are ready to kickoff the new season against Aston Villa.

Newcastle host Villa in the late game on Saturday.

Howe said: "I feel we're in a good place. It was an intense pre-season period for us. The double header at the weekend I think finished off where we needed to be. I think now we enter the season where you'd expect after a full pre-season. Fit, eager and looking forward to the challenge."

On new signing Sandro Tonali, he said: "When you're bringing players in from abroad I think it's really important you try to get them early. There's a settling in period both on and off the pitch you need to try and navigate through so I have to compliment Sandro on how he's handled the move and how he's adapting to those changes. He's done really well."

On Tino Livramento's arrival, Howe added: "He's very athletic, incredibly quick, dynamic, got really good endurance levels and is technically very good. He's back after a long injury but he's done all of pre-season with Southampton so he looks in a good physical condition but we need to look after him. He's a really exciting player."