Aston Villa 1 Newcastle 3
Unai Emery’s side welcomed The Magpies to Villa Park, with both teams looking for their first wins of 2024. Newcastle had dropped to tenth in the league following their poor run of form, a far cry from last season where they qualified for the Champions League.
The visitors had the first opening of the game when Gordon did well to work himself a shooting opportunity but Martinez did well to save with a trailing leg. Isak tried to bend one in the far corner but just could not get enough whip on the shot.
Eddie Howe’s side came forward again as Guimaraes played a sublime ball to Gordon. He cut onto his right foot and looked to get a shot away but it deflected and looped over the crossbar. As the corner came in, the ball dropped to an unmarked Schar, who side footed home.
Murphy then looked to find Isak but it was cut out by Cash at the expense of a corner. This time the ball dropped to Gordon outside the box, who volleyed towards goal. Lenglet had a swipe at it on its way to goal and it came back off the crossbar for Schar to sweep home his second goal of the game.
Credit: @NUFC
At different points during this season, pundits have talked about the possibility of both of these teams being in a title race. There is more chance of Gary Lineker being named the next president of Israel. Neither side has the credentials, or squad, to be anywhere near the top of the table.
After the restart, Gordon broke away again and played the ball to the back post where Murphy was lurking. With Martinez nowhere to be seen, a goal seemed imminent. The Newcastle midfielder got a touch but it was Moreno who took the ball into his own net.
Aston Villa were unbeaten at home up until this point but they looked like they were going to lose that record in some style. Playing their high line, they just could not cope with the pace of Anthony Gordon and were getting opened up more often than most supermarkets.
Diaby was played in, and went around Dubravka, but he took one touch too many. As he looked to roll it towards the goal, it was all too easy for Trippier to prevent the goal. Things were just not clicking for Emery’s side and the manager looked like he just wanted to hear the final whistle.
The hosts finally got a goal when Bailey crossed, to find Watkins, who hit it first time to beat the Newcastle keeper and give the home fans some hope. With just under twenty minutes remaining, there seemed enough time for a monumental comeback.
The Magpies should have seen the game off when Almiron burst free, holding the ball up, waiting for some support. He laid it off to Guimaraes who played a brilliantly disguised pass into the path of Longstaff. Just as it seemed a goal was inevitable, somehow Martinez managed to block the shot.
Credit: @NUFC
Ashley Watkins added another but it was ruled out for offside. The replay showed that Diaby had begun his run a little too early. It was a sublime finish by the Villa striker as he dinked it over Dubravka but it was not to be.
Newcastle held on for the three points and took themselves up to eighth in the table. Aston Villa dropped to fifth and now find themselves eight points behind leaders Liverpool. So much for that alleged title race, which lasted a couple of weeks at least.
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