EDDIE Howe admits picking a team for the Premier League opener against Aston Villa will be "difficult" - as the Newcastle boss sets a challenge to the players who are set to feature against Villarreal on Sunday afternoon.

Goals from Miguel Almirón and Alexander Isak secured a winning start for the Magpies in their opening game of the Sela Cup against Fiorentina on Saturday, with Howe now planning to name a completely different side for Sunday's game against Villarreal.

Howe was impressed with a lot of what he saw in Saturday's win, with those who featured having staked their claim to be in from the off when the real stuff starts against Villa next weekend. Now it's the turn of Newcastle's starters against Villarreal to give the boss some more food for thought as he ponders his options for the top flight opener.

"The guys did well on Saturday, I'm pleased with the majority of what I've seen. Let's now wait and see how the lads perform on Sunday," said Howe.

"The first game of the season is always a difficult team to pick because with our lads and their attitude and commitment to what they're doing, they've given everything to try and get in that team. Let's wait and see."

Howe said the performance against Fiorentina on Saturday was an improvement on the displays in the United States, when the Magpies were playing with tired legs because of a tough training schedule. But there's still a lot more to come from United and Howe is looking forward to seeing how his side fare on Sunday.

"I thought it (Saturday) was a step up from the games we had in America," said Howe.

"We performed well. We're still not at our peak but we're getting closer. It was a hard game against a good team. Tactically and technically they're very good but we created the best chances.

"On Sunday we want to see everything come together, as we saw on Saturday, but there's still room for improvement. I'm looking for these lads to go and execute how we play."

Incoming signing Tino Livramento was a special guest in the the stands on Saturday ahead of completing his move from Southampton.

Quizzed on Livramento on Friday, Howe was reluctant to say too much about the young right-back until the deal was finalised.

He said: “I am slightly in the dark (about where the deal is at). Let’s see what happens in the next couple of days, but certainly I like the player.”