Newcastle United ended Aston Villa’s unbeaten record of seventeen Premier League games last night as Eddie Howe’s side taught Unai Emery’s side a lesson for the second team this season.
Villa hasn’t been great for a while. I would go as far back as the win over Manchester City at the beginning of December for the last time Villa played a good game. Some put this down to tiredness but there were no excuses last night following their winter break. Villa were outdone on the night but the better side.
I just hope, similar to when we lost at St James Park in the opening weekend of the season, Villa bounce back and last night’s defeat is the kick up the backside the players require.
Report: Aston Villa 1-3 Newcastle
Emery and Howe both stuck with the sides that played in the FA Cup games at the weekend with Pau Torres remaining sidelined for Villa.
Newcastle were out the blocks quickly, exposing spaces all over the field while giving the home side very little time on the ball.
The visitors took a deserved lead just after the half-hour mark when Anthony Gordon’s effort was deflected wide by Clément Lenglet. Kieran Trippier picked out Fabian Schär from the resulting corner who was left unmarked to fire Newcastle into the lead.
Howe’s side took just five minutes to double their lead, leaving Villa Park in shock. Gordon, who was a constant threat all night, could only watch on as his volley was pushed onto the underside of the bar but Schär was once again at hand to react first to make it 0-2.
Despite the poor opening 45 minutes, Emery sent out the same side for the second half and it wasn’t long before Newcastle found the net again.
Matty Cash, was caught out dawdling on the ball and despite the best efforts from Àlex Moreno the defender turned the ball into his own goal following pressure from Jacob Murphy. It was starting to feel like Deja Vu for Villa.
Emery made changes immediately introducing Leon Bailey, Jacob Ramsey and Nicolò Zaniolo as Boubacar Kamara, Moussa Diaby and Youri Tielemans all made way.
Villa was a different outfit following the changes with Bailey causing the visitors all sorts of problems and he soon turned into a creator when he picked out Ollie Watkins from the right wing to make it 1-3.
Moments later Villa had the ball in the back of the net again as once again Bailey and Watkins linked up but VAR ruled the goal out for offside.
It was all too little too late for the hosts as they fell to defeat.
What the managers said:
Emery: “I told the players I am very proud of them,”
“I am very proud of the supporters at Villa Park. The loss has to come one day. Today, it came. The way we did it was fantastic. We cannot lose perspective. The perspective is that against Newcastle, playing like they did tonight, it is not easy to win.”
“We are in the top five but we know there are other teams contending to be there and one of them is Newcastle. Chelsea and Manchester United. Others like West Ham and Brighton. We are not happy with this result. But I have to understand the perspective.”
Howe: “It was a big win and a big performance. The players were really good tonight. That was like us last year. We had a really good start to the game, aggressive and on the front foot.” He credited the FA Cup win away to Fulham for bringing momentum.
Up Next
Aston Villa are back in action in the Premier League on Saturday evening when they take on Sheffield United at Brammell Lane.
Newcastle also returns to action on Saturday when they host Luton Town at St James Park.
