Aston Villa boss Unai Emery felt we responded well after conceding early at Newcastle Utd, but Jhon Duran’s red card was key in our 3-0 defeat.
Villa fell behind after just two minutes at St James’ Park, but we gradually settled into the game and began to get a foothold to threaten to hit back.
READ MORE: Aston Villa player ratings vs Newcastle: Duran red card decisive in defeat
However, that momentum dissipated after Duran was sent off just after the half hour mark, and as we struggled to find a way back into the encounter, the hosts were able to stretch their lead and secure all three points.
It was a bitterly disappointing defeat as we were unable to follow up our brilliant win over Manchester City last weekend, and although Emery was pleased with the response from his players after conceding early, he bemoaned the lack of contribution from VAR when it came to Duran’s dismissal.
The Villa striker was shown a straight red card for an apparent stamp on Fabian Schar, but it certainly could be argued that he was simply unable to manoeuvre himself in any other way to avoid contact, and that it was ultimately not a deliberate action.
“We started the first 30 minutes conceding one goal. We made a mistake conceding it,” he told VillaTV. “And, of course, here, to start losing is difficult, but we reacted very well. The first 30 minutes, we were more or less feeling comfortable and feeling confidence to continue in our gameplan and try to get something.
“After the red card, it was more difficult, of course. Maybe it’s unfair, the decision. Maybe it is a red card, maybe not, but we have VAR to try to take time with the decision. The only person who can take time is the referee, and he decided red card.
“We have to be positive, and we have to understand our way. Of course, we are doing this process, and now Monday, we are against Brighton at home.
“The table is very tight, we have a lot of teams within a few points [of each other], and of course, on Monday is our challenge again at home, at Villa Park.
“Try to get the atmosphere we want to try create with our supporters, and play, and to enjoy there, and try to win.”
Showing consistency will continue to be one of the key challenges in our season, as although the circumstances of this specific game influenced the outcome having had to play for over an hour with 10 men, we didn’t set the same standard in the opening stages on Tyneside, as we saw last time out.
In turn, a reaction will be expected when we host Brighton next week, as things are very tight in the current Premier League standings with a string of positive results potentially moving us up several positions very quickly.
However, our defensive level needs to take a step back up against the Seagulls as we weren’t as disciplined or switched on in midweek, and that will subsequently help give us a more solid foundation on which we can go on and get three important points to bounce back from this disappointment.
