ABIAN SCHAR DOUBLES DOWN VILLANS AS MAGPIES END PREMIER LEAGUE LOSING STREAK IN ASTON VILLA 1-3 NEWCASTLE

Newcastle United secured a significant 3-1 victory at Villa Park, propelled by a double from Fabian Schar. An own goal by Alex Moreno extended the visitors’ lead before Ollie Watkins reduced the deficit for Aston Villa. This success propels Newcastle to seventh place in the table with 32 points. Eddie Howe’s team is now 11 points behind Villa, who hold fourth place in the race for the Champions League spots.

Fabian Schar achieved a rare feat by scoring two quick goals in succession as Newcastle United handed Aston Villa their first home Premier League loss of the season in a splendid 3-1 triumph at Villa Park. This victory put an end to Newcastle’s four-game losing streak in the Premier League, showcasing Eddie Howe’s team’s dominance in an impressive away performance.

Unai Emery’s team had the opportunity to climb to second place in the table with a win, but they were taken aback as the Swiss central defender visiting from Newcastle found the net twice within four minutes in the first half, leaving the Holte End in silence.

He connected with a corner from Kieran Trippier, calmly finishing from six yards to give his team the lead in the 32nd minute. He repeated this feat on the 36th minute, using his right boot to tap the ball into the net after a deflected shot from Anthony Gordon hit the underside of the bar.

Newcastle secured a decisive third goal when Villa’s Alex Moreno accidentally bundled the ball into his own net, colliding with a post after a misdirected shot from Jacob Murphy in the 52nd minute.

Despite Ollie Watkins scoring a consolation goal in the 71st minute, marking his 50th Premier League goal for Villa from a delightful cross by substitute Leon Bailey, Villa was convincingly defeated.

This marks the first time Villa has lost a Premier League home match since a 4-2 defeat to Arsenal 11 months ago. Additionally, Newcastle ended an 11-year wait to win at the ground in league competition. Eddie Howe’s team has now moved up to seventh in the table with 32 points from 22 matches, trailing Villa, who remain in fourth place with 43 points, by 11 points.

Real-time Football scores and highlights.

TALKING POINT: EDDIE HOWE’S NEWCASTLE REGAINS FAMILIAR FORM

The Premier League, known for its unpredictability and entertainment, showcased a turnaround in fortune for Eddie Howe’s team.

In the midst of an injury crisis, Howe witnessed his side endure defeats against Luton and Nottingham Forest, marking a dismal four-match losing streak in the Premier League. Their visit to face a confident Villa team, unbeaten at home since last February, raised concerns for Newcastle.

Contrary to expectations, the outcome was a commanding victory that evoked memories of their impressive fourth-place finish from the previous season. This win catapulted them back to seventh place in the table, a position qualifying for European football next season. However, there’s a sense that Howe will push for more from his team in the remaining 16 matches of the campaign.

Reflecting on the performance, Howe stated on TNT Sports, “When you’re coaching a team, you want them to play how you see the game. That has been there, but it’s been frustrating. Today I saw the team and the identity we’re looking for.”

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: FABIAN SCHAR (NEWCASTLE UNITED)

A commanding defensive performance was complemented by a clinical first-half double, significantly impacting Villa. Schar nearly made history as the first defender in Premier League history to secure a hat-trick, but a last-gasp challenge by Clément Lenglet prevented him from completing the treble. Newcastle consistently posed a threat to the home side, particularly during set-pieces.

PLAYER RATINGS

Aston Villa: Martinez 7, Cash 6, Konsa 6, Lenglet 6, Moreno 6, McGinn 6, Luiz 6, Kamara 6, Tielemans 6, Diaby 6, Watkins 7 Subs: Zaniolo 6, Bailey 7, Ramsey 6

Newcastle: Dubravka 7, Trippier 7, Schar 8, Botman 7, Burn 7, Miley 7, Guimaraes 7, S Longstaff 7, Murphy 7, Isak 7, Gordon 7 Subs: Livramento 6, Almiron 7

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

32′ NEWCASTLE TAKES THE LEAD! (SCHAR) Trippier delivers a corner, and Fabian Schär seizes the opportunity, outmaneuvering Konsa to calmly clip the ball into the net from six yards. An effortless move results in a 1-0 lead for the visitors.

36′ NEWCASTLE DOUBLES THE ADVANTAGE! (SCHAR) Unbelievable turn of events. Gordon’s long-distance shot takes a dangerous deflection off Lenglet, bouncing off the ground and then the underside of the bar before Martinez. Schar capitalizes on the rebound with a simple tap-in. Suddenly, it’s 2-0 for the visitors.

52′ NEWCASTLE SECURES THE THIRD! (MURPHY) Gordon showcases a brilliant run and delivers a pass to Almiron, who crosses for Murphy to skillfully slot it home. Moreno inadvertently hits the post while trying to keep it out, with Martinez out of position. A stunning move establishes a 3-0 lead. Game, set, and match.

71′ VILLA PULLS ONE BACK! (WATKINS) Watkins displays a brilliant reaction to put the ball in the net from Bailey’s cross. A delightful finish gives Villa renewed hope as they trail 3-1.

74′ VAR DISALLOWS A SECOND VILLA GOAL. Bailey causes problems as he provides a pass to Watkins, who is narrowly offside as he chips the ball over Dúbravka. Although it’s a terrific finish, the goal won’t count. Massive relief for the visiting side.

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