Aston Villa was brought back down to earth following last week’s 4-0 win over Brentford as Newcastle brushed them to one side in another poor performance on their travels.
In truth, Newcastle were everything Villa were not. Well organised and well coached. That isn’t a shot at Aaron Danks in any way and more a shot at the hierarchy and once again it highlighted just how badly the club got the appointment of Steven Gerrard so badly wrong.
New manager Unai Emery will have his work cut out when he takes charge of the club on Tuesday as Villa weakness’s sneaked back into their game in the North yesterday afternoon.
The visitors were unlucky to have conceded a penalty late in the first half when Ashley Young was judged to have handballed in the penalty area. Callum Wilson stepped up and slotted past Robin Olsen who had replaced Emi Martinez earlier in the first half due to a potential concussion.
Villa had given as good as they got in the first half and had they found their shooting boots may have even scored themselves.
It wasn’t to be though and Newcastle blew Villa aside in the second half as Villa fell apart.
Two goals in three second-half minutes all but killed any hopes of a comeback for Danks and his men.
The Villa defence fell asleep as Kieran Tripper sent over a corner for an unmarked Wilson to double his and Newcastle’s tally on the day.
Wilson then came close to scoring his hat-trick but was denied by Olson. The ball fell to the feet of Joelinton who couldn’t miss from six yards out.
Villa went from giving Newcastle a run for their money to holding and trying to keep the score down.
The home side completed the rout through the inform Miguel Almirón as the Paraguayan curled a left-footed shot from 25 yards out into the back of the net.
Newcastle were everything Villa should be
I don’t buy into this stupid online rivalry between certain sections of the two clubs’ fan base. Both clubs should be knocking on the door and upsetting the so-called big six of the Premier League.
As things stand, only one side is. Whether Newcastle got lucky appointing Eddie Howe as boss or it was part of their masterplan, one thing for sure is it’s paying off. Players whose fans had written off 12 months ago look completely different.
They look fitter, well organised and have a manager who has the ability to change tactics for the better throughout the game. Everything Villa should be by now.
The appointment of Emery has to be a wake-up call for Villa’s players. Too many times in the past we have turned on the manager but Emery’s CV speaks for itself and a few players in the dressing room at Villa Park could be in for a rude awakening unless they step up.