- Newcastle’s Premier League losing run of four games came to an end on Tuesday as they defeated Aston Villa 3-1 thanks to a double from Fabian Schar.
- The Newcastle center-back scored on his first attempt in the 32nd minute to give the Magpies the lead. He then added a second shortly after to give them even more control.
- Newcastle is now in seventh position as they attempt to make it to Europe after a challenging season.
Newcastle’s Premier League losing run of four games came to an end on Tuesday as they defeated Aston Villa 3-1 thanks to a double from Fabian Schar.
Following a corner from Kieran Trippier, the Newcastle center-back scored on his first attempt in the 32nd minute to give the Magpies the lead. He then added a second shortly after to give them even more control.
Alex Moreno gave his team an impossible task when he veered the ball into his own net, adding insult to injury to Villa’s already dismal evening.
Ollie Watkins gave the home crowd hope in the 71st minute when he pulled a goal back, but the Villa forward was left disappointed when his second goal was disallowed a few minutes later.
Fabian celebrates after scoring his second goal to cement their lead in the game against Aston Villa. Photo/ Eurosport
Newcastle is now in seventh position as they attempt to make it to Europe after a challenging season.
The loss dealt serious damage to fourth-place Villa’s comeback attempt at winning the championship, dropping Unai Emery’s team five points behind leaders Liverpool, who still have a game remaining.
It was Villa’s first league home loss in 17 games since their February 2023 loss to Arsenal.
Howe does not anticipate making any additions to Newcastle, despite the fact that Miguel Almiron, Callum Wilson, and Kieran Tripper have all been linked to transfers with the transfer deadline approaching on Thursday.
Given that unsettling context, Howe’s team’s much-needed victory will have inspired him.
How the game unfolded
After a tentative first 20 minutes of play, Anthony Gordon had the first opportunity of the match, but the striker was unable to get past the unwavering Emiliano Martinez.
In the 29th minute, the Aston Villa goalkeeper looked less than impressive as he stopped Sean Longstaff’s rebound after parrying Jacob Murphy’s shot.
The Magpies persisted in pressing forward, and Gordon cut inside before his powerful drive ricocheted over the bar.
Schar met Trippier’s outswinging pass from the next corner and headed the ball into the bottom corner.
The center-back scored his second goal of the game less than four minutes later when he pounced on a rebound from Gordon’s first attempt and put the ball in the waiting net.
Eddie Howe‘s team got off to a fast start in the second half, scoring a third goal within seven minutes of the restart after maintaining a sizable lead into the half.
Murphy attempted to touch in Miguel Almiron’s cross, but Moreno did all in his power to prevent the Villa full-back from diverting the ball into his own net.
Even though Newcastle seemed to be in total control, the home team made a last-ditch effort to rally behind their standout scorer, Watkins.
With an inch-perfect cross from Leon Bailey, the England international headed in to score his 50th Premier League goal.
Ollie Watkins scored a consolation for the home team. Photo/ Sky Sports
Watkins believed he had scored his 51st goal in the top division a few seconds later, but his clean finish was disallowed due to an offside infraction.
Newcastle had a chance to take advantage of the space created by Villa’s reckless play, but Longstaff was unable to defeat Martinez one-on-one.
The midfielder’s blunder didn’t really matter because the Magpies won their first away league game since September by winning the rest of the game.
After the win, Newcastle is now in seventh place, while Unai Emery’s team is still in fourth place after a rare bad night at Villa Park.
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