Newcastle spark life into their season with a result no one saw coming

Sign as much as Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game e-newsletter despatched straight to your inbox at no cost

Sign as much as Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly e-newsletter

Ah, the enduring lure of the Premier League. Welcoming Newcastle ought to have been the house banker to finish all dwelling bankers for an Aston Villa facet with 9 wins and one draw from 10 Villa Park league matches, once more a crew with a seemingly incurable bout of hodophobia, out to keep away from a fifth successive league defeat – a run they haven’t endured in over 4 years.

Very shortly, nonetheless, the script was torn aside by a battle-weary Newcastle absolutely deserving of a first league victory on the highway since September, as Villa slipped to a first dwelling league loss in just below a yr. Only within the Barclays.

This was a hotly-anticipated battle of the 2 sides tipped to be the primary menace to the Premier League institution. Both are large golf equipment in their personal proper, however the riches and international attraction of the “Big Six” have made it virtually unimaginable to win a seat on the prime desk.

A considerable sum of money has been spent, and spent nicely, by each, making certain they, particularly Villa, are forward of schedule in their bid to problem the Premier League elite.

They have come a lengthy, good distance from their mauling by the hands of Newcastle on the opening day of the season to mount a shock title tilt. Victory over Newcastle would have put Unai Emery’s facet inside two level of leaders Liverpool.

This season, nonetheless, Eddie Howe’s males have Emery’s upstarts’ quantity. And some.

There was solely one crew in it from the off at an expectant Villa Park. An outstanding move excessive from Jacob Murphy 20 minutes in set Antony Gordon away, he lower inside, twice, just for Emiliano Martinez to spreads himself, a la that match-winning cease within the World Cup closing, to make a excellent block.

Several extra Newcastle openings got here and went earlier than the deserved opener discovered the online – a half-volley on the six-yard line for Fabian Schar. Criminal defending from Ezri Konsa and Douglas Luiz to let the Swiss defender go.

Like London buses, having waited 18 months for a league aim, Schar had two inside 4 minutes, prodding dwelling after Gordon’s deflected strike that had come out off the crossbar.

Villa didn’t have a canine within the battle and wanted the break to regroup. Whatever was mentioned on the interval did little to show the tide within the hosts’ favour, nonetheless, as substitute Miguel Almiron’s low cross was turned into his personal internet by Alex Moreno to make it three for the shocked Magpies seven minutes into the second half.

The centurions remembered find out how to defend the fortress from that time on as Villa lastly bought going, Ollie Watkin’s fiftieth Premier League aim – changing into solely the third Villa participant to succeed in such a mark – getting his facet again in it with 19 minutes to go.

The travelling Geordies had been fearing one other away-day debacle because the Villa hitman had the ball within the internet once more moments later, just for the linesman’s flag to disclaim the England worldwide his second of the sport.

Drained Newcastle, dealt one other harm blow within the first half as Alexander Isak, not for the primary time in black and white, limped off, drained extra as every minute ticked by. There was nonetheless time to piece the pre-match script again collectively for Villa, with Newcastle having conceded over 60 per cent of their league objectives after the hour mark of matches, however not this yr, in opposition to the crew.

They want our bodies again, quick, however with three very winnable video games in opposition to Luton, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth up subsequent, with week breaks in between fixtures, Newcastle’s season, after being given new life in essentially the most stunning of settings, can nonetheless have a blissful ending but.