Resilient Villa secure impressive win at Newcastle
Back-to-back tough away wins get us back on track...
What a win. Less than 72 hours on from our brilliant victory at Fenerbahce, Aston Villa faced another difficult assignment on the road as we travelled up to Tyneside on Sunday.
Such is the resilience, determination and focus of this group though, and despite the disappointment of our defeat at home to Everton last weekend and the injury setbacks that we’ve suffered, we produced one of our best performances of the season so far against Newcastle United.
Goals from Emiliano Buendia and Ollie Watkins ensured that we secured three deserved points and a rare win in the North East after a top performance, both individually and collectively, and it continues to strengthen our position in the Premier League table.
It’s back to Europa League action in midweek, but there is certainly going to be a positive atmosphere and environment at Bodymoor Heath in the coming days as Unai Emery, his coaching staff and the players recover, regroup and prepare to go again in a few days time.
Five talking points from Villa’s win over Newcastle
Emery’s gameplan works to perfection
It’s not the first time, and it certainly won’t be the last, that we’re looking back at an Emery tactical masterclass as he continues to devise successful gameplans, tailored to nullify and exploit the opposition on that day.
While the players deserve real credit for the effort they put in to execute said gameplan, it starts with Emery’s preparation and his ability to identify the intricate details as to where we can have success against teams.
Through the positioning of individuals, particularly in midfield where our box shape consistently caused Newcastle problems with our patient and incisive build-up play, and the organisation and discipline of our defensive shape and system, it’s no surprise that the Villa boss was praised by his players after the game for once again putting them in a position to go out and win it as it all starts with him.
Martinez decisive on return to Villa XI
While I’ve criticised Emiliano Martinez at times this season after costly errors, it’s only right that he gets credit when it’s due, and it undoubtedly was this past weekend.
The Villa goalkeeper returned to the starting line-up after missing out at Fenerbahce, and he produced two outstanding saves in the first half. Aside from the fact that they were brilliant stops, the timing of both was absolutely critical to the outcome too.
His outstretched leg to deny Sandro Tonali in the opening minutes of the game was decisive. Had the hosts gone ahead so early, it could have changed the entire complexion of the encounter, from the atmosphere, Newcastle playing with more confidence and freedom and forcing us to change our gameplan.
Just before half-time, Martinez stepped up again with a vital save to preserve our lead going into the break. Again, that was such a potential momentum-swinging moment in the game, and he produced the quality needed to keep us ahead.
Versatile defensive unit solid once more
Despite changes in personnel, the Villa backline is so well drilled, organised and disciplined, that we’re consistently performing at a high level in that department as everyone knows their role within the system.
Ian Maatsen and Matty Cash were diligent and dogged throughout in containing Newcastle’s threat, much of which came from wide areas as we forced them that way with our own set-up, while Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa’s understanding and awareness ensured that we had the strong foundation needed to go on and win this game.
Emery tweaked things in the second half as Newcastle made changes and brought different dynamics in their attacking third, but the introduction of Lucas Digne and Tyrone Mings simply countered that, and ultimately strengthened our grip on the contest to help us go on and win it.
Onana presence critical
After a performance and result like this past weekend, it’s always difficult to pick out specific individuals for praise, as every single player contributed to the outcome in some form.
Whether it was Martinez with his saves, Buendia and Watkins with their goals, and even the likes of Leon Bailey and Lamare Bogarde coming on in the second half and playing their respective parts, every Villa player deserves credit.
That said, I thought Amadou Onana emphasised in this game why it’s so fundamentally important for us that he stays fit and is a pillar of this Villa team for the remainder of the campaign.
The Villa midfielder covers so much ground, is so imposing with his physical presence from a defensive perspective and is composed in possession to build our play up the pitch, he significantly adds to the strength of the spine of the team when involved.
Particularly with Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn sidelined by injury, it was great to have Onana back in the Villa starting line-up, and hopefully he’ll be a mainstay between now and the end of the campaign.
Buendia, Watkins encapsulate Villa resilience
Buendia’s resilience continues to be rewarded this season as he bagged his seventh goal of the year with another sensational effort from distance.
Within this game, and perhaps beyond that given his struggles for consistency and goals this season, Watkins also saw his persistence and determination rewarded in the latter stages as he sealed our win.
It was a tough afternoon for the Villa frontman as very little was coming off for him, but he kept going and got his all-important goal, and that ultimately is a hallmark of this Villa team in general.
The journey for Buendia must have been horrendous during the darker days of his rehabilitation after suffering his knee injury and as serious doubts emerged over his future with us. If his goals weren’t enough to put a smile on his face though, this post-match comment from Emery certainly will.
“Emiliano Buendia’s commitment is massive. He is playing hungry to get his best, to compete with the wish of me being proud of him. And I am.”
That mentality and approach is reflected in the group as a whole, and it will hopefully carry us to success when this season is said and done.
What were your thoughts on Villa’s win at Newcastle? Leave your comments and questions using the button below, and vote for your Man of the Match.
In other news…
Speaking in his post-game press conference, Emery confirmed that Villa are hopeful of completing the signing of Tammy Abraham from Besiktas this week.
Should that deal go through, it will add crucial firepower to the squad and hopefully give us an additional source of goals moving forward to help us sustain our push for success.
Although the 28-year-old might not be seen as the most ambitious signing by many, there is a sense that under Emery’s guidance, he could thrive and add a vital new dynamic to our attack.
However, there was bad news on the injury front as although John McGinn is still being assessed, the expectation seems to be that the Villa skipper will miss up to two months with the knee injury that he sustained against Everton.
Further, Youri Tielemans is set to be assessed for an ankle injury after a heavy challenge during the win over Newcastle, and so fingers, toes and everything else are all crossed that there is a positive update during the week on our midfield metronome.
Follow me on X, Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, and check out the website at talk-villa.com for more news throughout the week. Please subscribe to the TalkVilla Podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Up The Villa! 🟣🔵