Buendia and Watkins give Villa Win at Newcastle

At a glance

• Emiliano Buendia puts Aston Villa in front with super strike from outside the box before Ollie Watkins adds second with header
• Emiliano Martinez makes fine saves to deny both Sandro Tonali and Lewis Miley
• Aston Villa move level on points with second-placed Manchester City while Newcastle stay in ninth
• PLAYER RATINGS

Emiliano Buendia and Ollie Watkins both scored as high-flying Aston Villa ended their long wait for a St James’ Park victory against Newcastle United.

The visitors had not triumphed on Tyneside since an infamous afternoon in 2005, when Newcastle went down to eight men and team-mates Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer were both sent off for fighting each other.

But Unai Emery’s men have won more points on the road than any other Premier League side for a reason this season, and they showed their mettle away from home once again.

It was the rejuvenated Buendia who opened the scoring when the Argentine brilliantly scooped the ball past Nick Pope from outside the box to silence the stadium in the 19th minute.

Watkins then sealed the victory late on when the unmarked striker headed home from substitute Lucas Digne’s cross, leaving the away end singing in the rain as their side moved level on points with second-placed Manchester City.

That was the cue for a number of Newcastle supporters to make their way for the exits on a disappointing afternoon for their side, who would have moved ahead of champions Liverpool with a victory.

The hosts went close to opening the scoring when Sandro Tonali danced past three players only to see his close-range effort kept out by the foot of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez just seconds into the game.

The outstretched Martinez also made an important save to claw away Lewis Miley’s header just before half-time.

But Aston Villa had their chances, too, and Pope made fine stops to twice deny Watkins.

There was little the Newcastle goalkeeper could do about Buendia and Watkins’ goals, as the visitors secured a deserved win.

Newcastle analysis: Guimaraes missed as run continues

Media caption,

Howe disappointed in 2-0 loss at home, but happy with effort

A frustrated Bruno Guimaraes could only watch on from his box with his family on Sunday.

The Newcastle captain was not risked for this game after hobbling off with an ankle injury in Wednesday’s Champions League win against PSV Eindhoven.

And his side’s struggles without him continued.

Newcastle, remarkably, have never won a Premier League match without their talisman in the starting line-up since he made his full debut nearly four years ago.

Not only does Guimaraes bring so much to this side with his tenacity and leadership, he has also developed a habit of stepping up time and time again at St James’ Park.

Already this season, there have been openers against Crystal Palace, Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest, an equaliser against Leeds United and a 90th-minute winner against Fulham.

This was a game when Newcastle were crying out for a similar intervention, particularly during a frustrating second half, where they failed to seriously trouble Martinez as the hosts attempted to get back into the game.

Newcastle hope Guimaraes could return for Wednesday’s Champions League game at Paris St-Germain and they will certainly need him, particularly after countryman Joelinton limped off with a groin issue against Villa.

Aston Villa analysis: The perfect blend of goals

Media caption,

Emery ‘so happy with extraordinary’ Villa performance

Have Aston Villa cracked the code?

In an era where xG is so prevalent, Emery’s clinical team have scored 13 goals from outside the penalty area in the Premier League this season – the most of any side in the competition.

Buendia’s opener was the latest in a long line of sensational strikes.

The forward collected the ball, following a deft lay-off from Morgan Rogers, and Newcastle players stood off him, almost imploring him to shoot from distance, which always felt a risky strategy given his record.

Buendia certainly did not need a second invitation.

He had the split second he needed to look up, pick his spot and fire his side in front as the Villa supporters up in the gods repeatedly sang his name.

But Villa also hurt Newcastle from inside the box.

Watkins will soon have increased competition from striker Tammy Abraham, who is set to complete a move from Besiktas, and you suspect he will relish that challenge.

Pope may have foiled him twice previously, but Watkins eventually found a way through to power a bullet header past the Newcastle goalkeeper.

Villa are capable of scoring all types of goals – and that’s what makes them so dangerous as they responded in style after losing in the Premier League at home to Everton last week.

What’s next for these teams?

Newcastle face Paris St-Germain in the Champions League at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday (20:00 GMT) before taking on Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday (20:00).

Aston Villa host RB Salzburg at Villa Park in the Europa League on Thursday (20:00) before another home game against Brentford in the Premier League on Sunday, 1 February (14:00).

Average rating8.58

Source: BBC