Aston Villa produced a brilliant performance in our 4-1 win over Newcastle Utd, boosting our Champions League qualification hopes in the process.
Ollie Watkins broke the deadlock in less than a minute as we made a stunning start to the game, but the visitors struck back before the half-time interval as the two sides went in level.
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Villa weren’t to be denied though as goals from Ian Maatsen, Amadou Onana and a Dan Burn own goal saw us storm into the lead and secure three fundamental points, as we continue to build momentum and close the gap on our rivals in the standings.
It’s another tough assignment in midweek as we head to Manchester City, but Villa look to be peaking at the right time this season, and after a win like this to follow our disappointment against Paris Saint-Germain, it will hopefully lift the players again as we go deeper into a decisive run-in.
Aston Villa player ratings vs Newcastle:
Emiliano Martinez, 7.5 – Will be disappointed with the goal conceded as he’ll perhaps feel as though he could have done better, but made an important stop later in the game to help us on our way to a win, while his distribution was excellent in getting us on the front-foot more directly and with speed.
Matty Cash, 8 – Solid defensive shift against a tricky customer in Barnes, as well as Livramento overlapping. While he had help, Cash dealt with that threat well and pushed forward when he could to give us width.
Ezri Konsa, 8 – In conjunction with Mings, kept Isak relatively quiet throughout the game as we produced a strong defensive display. Will be disappointed that he played Schar onside for the goal, but that passage of play aside, a positive shift.
Tyrone Mings, 8 – As noted above, he did well to nullify Isak’s threat, while his commanding presence in the box saw him make countless headed clearances to snuff out danger.
Ian Maatsen, 8.5 – Needed to defend better for the goal as Schar was able to head home at the back post, but he recovered from that really well and made some excellent interventions to show improvement in his defensive work. Capped it off with a superb goal as his run was brilliant to get into a dangerous position, and the finish was excellent too.
Boubacar Kamara, 8 – Another fundamental shift in the heart of our midfield. Shielded the backline well throughout as he helped us maintain control of the game, while he shifted us up the pitch quickly with his quality in possession.
Youri Tielemans, 8.5 – What a joy to watch. Aside from his decisive play in the final third as he was directly involved in two of our goals, he is the tireless orchestrator in the heart of the side who makes us tick. He’s raising his level and form just at the right time too with a decisive run in recent games, while he matches that with tenacity and being an absolute workhorse.
John McGinn, 8 – Another tenacious and tireless shift from the Villa skipper, as he helped the team impose ourselves on the game, grab control in midfield and the attacking third, which in turn was an influential factor in our ability to run away with the win in the second half.
Marco Asensio, 7.5 – Missed a big chance in the first half which will frustrate him as he’s lost his cutting edge in front of goal in the last few outings, but his ability to link things together and his technical ability on the ball were key to help us build attacks and create openings.
Morgan Rogers, 7.5 – Showed real class at times with his touch and link-up play to get out of pressure and move us up the pitch at pace. Had a couple of efforts on goal which were struck directly at Pope, but it was still an important shift to help the team get the job done.
Ollie Watkins, 8.5 – Exceptional attitude and performance from the Villa frontman after his recent frustration over being left on the bench for big games. Was direct and at it from the off with his goal and went close a few times after, and his movement was superb as he gave us an outlet, stretched the pitch and created openings for his teammates, including his assist for Maatsen’s goal. Top-class display as he’s now one goal away from becoming our all-time leading Premier League goalscorer.
Substitutes:
Jacob Ramsey, 8 – Really positive after coming on with around 20 minutes to play, went close with an effort that struck the post, while his movement and fresh legs helped us sustain our pressure and ability to create chances.
Amadou Onana, 8.5 – What a strike for his goal, sweetly hit into the top corner as Villa were relentless in the second half. Imposed himself well in midfield to help us continue to control the game.
Donyell Malen, N/A
Marcus Rashford, N/A
Ross Barkley, N/A
