by Given that this was only Newcastle’s second league win of the season, it’s no wonder they looked determined to savor every minute. His supporters, some of whom were eventually feverish, naturally succeeded.
From Fabian Schär scoring twice and, deep into stoppage time, Cruyff’s half-way effort to Anthony Gordon singing Who’s That Team We Call United?, the Toon Army platform song, as the players celebrated before the end, there was a rich tapestry of photographs from what was a momentous evening for Eddie Howe’s side. Bruno Guimarães, after another great performance, went down the tunnel with Kinder Bueno chocolate, his favorite sweet, given to him by fans.
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There was a stark contrast between Villa’s emotions after the final whistle, a clean-sheet performance until Leon Bailey’s goal just after the hour paved the way for a first league win here in 346 days, since they lost at Arsenal in February last. Ollie Watkins scored his 50th Premier League goal for Aston Villa, becoming only the third player to do so after Gabby Agbonlahor and Dwight Yorke, but it was ultimately a disappointing outing. Apart from Bailey, the positives were very high. For Unai Emery’s team, it is now one win in five league games. Is their assault on the top four fading?
Sean Longstaff could have added Newcastle’s fourth goal in the 89th minute but this was a five-star display for Newcastle. The only sour note was the suspected groin injury that forced Alexander Isak off a few minutes before the end of the first half, leaving Howe without a bona fide fit striker. The manager is hopeful the injury is not too serious and, with Callum Wilson closed on returning to training after a calf problem, dismissed suggestions Newcastle could plunge into the transfer market before Thursday’s deadline.
“I’m hoping to be done for the window,” Howe said. “There is very little time left to do anything in or out. I don’t think the [financial] ability to do anything.”
Newcastle had won 5-1 when these teams met at the start of the season so Villa were well aware of the kind of damage Howe’s side could do, even if they didn’t show much of that threat. from St. James’s Park. season, losing their last five away games in the league. Until this trip, their only win in the top flight this campaign was their 8-0 demolition of Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in September, where eight different players got on the scoresheet. .
Schär was one of the few players not to score that day but was the unusual source of Newcastle’s two first-half goals, spread over four minutes. Both resulted from Kieran Trippier’s corners, the first when Schär shook off Douglas Luiz to inbound and the second when the defender responded early to Anthony Gordon’s flick-on, which was deflected by Clément Lenglet, at bounced off the crossbar, his second and third goals of the season. .
Within the first minute, Newcastle’s plan to feast on the space behind Villa’s tall back line was clear. Isak was upside down chasing Schär’s pass and a moment later the striker put a thumb up to acknowledge Guimarães’ lofted ball down the middle.
Until John McGinn made a tough but fair challenge on Gordon, the game – and indeed the atmosphere – looked strange. Like Villa’s 0-0 FA Cup quarter-final draw at Chelsea on Friday, it may just be a sign of heightened expectations given their record this season. Howe certainly knows that. “I told the players that I am very proud of them, our supporters and our work at Villa Park,” said Emery. “A loss was coming and we can’t lose perspective. When Newcastle played the way they did, it’s not easy to win.”
Schär was an omnipresent presence for Newcastle, scoring at one end and snuffing out danger at the other, making a crucial clearance a few minutes into the second half. Miguel Almirón is also a reliable outlet for Newcastle and when the substitute, who replaced Isak on 43 minutes, burned down the left, it caused trouble for Villa. Jacob Murphy was waiting at the back post for a tap-in and although Almirón’s cross did not have a clean touch, his effort went both feet, it was enough and Àlex Moreno hit the post after a ditch effort final make. to keep the ball out.
Bailey, not fit enough to start after a back problem, had an impact on Villa’s goal. McGinn found Bailey on the right and the Jamaican supplied Watkins, who swept in a cross from close range. Emery took a quick glance at the scoreboard. In other words: how long is left? Two minutes later Watkins, again being fed by Bailey, thought he had reduced the deficit further, and the assistant referee, Lee Betts, could only raise his flag. McGinn ended his celebration and a VAR check confirmed that Watkins was offside. Newcastle’s, however, continued long into the night.
