Newcastle 3 Aston Villa 0 – United outclass Villans yet again at St James’ Park

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·26 December 2024

Newcastle 3 Aston Villa 0 – United outclass Villans yet again at St James’ Park

Newcastle 3 Aston Villa 0 – Thursday 26 December 3pm

United completely outclassed Villa, yet again.

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The only mystery is how Unai Emery and his players escaped with ‘only’ a three goal hiding

It could and should have been at least twice as big, the winning scoreline.

The fact it wasn’t?

Due to a combination of great goalkeeping, poor finishing at times, dubious decisions by match officials, poor luck.

With only 80 odd seconds on the clock, the midfield trio taking Aston Villa apart.

Tonali won the ball, Bruno fed Joelinton, then as he in turn played it to Gordon, Hall’s overlap distracted Cash. Anthony Gordon coming inside and from outside the box produced a wonderful curling finish that gave Martinez zero chance.

Villa struggled to create anything of note and United bided their time.

Newcastle the better team and Aston Villa then imploded.

Schar saw his free-kick well saved by Martinez and as he dashed back to prevent any chance of Villa scoring on the break. As he slid and cleared the danger, Duran then in cowardly fashion raked his studs down the back of a face down Schar. The referee not even needing VAR, as he instantly red carded the shameful Duran.

This only confirmed United’s grip on the match, now the visitors had ten men.

As you can see from the stats below though, Newcastle just as dominant first half as they were second.

The floodgates would have likely opened if not from a superb Martinez fingertip save from Sandro Tonali before the break.

In the second half, Murphy hit the bar when it looked more difficult than scoring. Bruno scored when the ball was blasted off him but from very close range somehow a handball decision made. Isak ruled very marginally offside on another chance that hit the back of the net.

The two more that did go in, a wonderful flowing move saw Bruno play in Murphy and he squared for Isak to tap in.

Then in added time Joelinton cut out an attempted pass, powered towards goal and bent his own special goal around Martinez.

As I said, there could and should have been more goals for United, but hopefully saved a few for Old Trafford on Monday.

On his debut for NUFC over 16 months ago, Sandro Tonali took only six minutes to score his first ever Newcastle goal.

Today he had to be just content with having been the best player on the pitch, in my opinion at least.

Newcastle 3 Aston Villa 0 – Thursday 26 December 3pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Gordon 2, Isak 59, Joelinton 90+1

Villa:

Duran red card 32