Aston Villa 4 Newcastle 1 – Watkins shows his value, lack of rotation costs Newcastle

Sports

add

Aston Villa romped to a big win over Newcastle, striking a hefty blow in the race for Champions League qualification.

Goals from Ollie Watkins, Ian Maatsen, Amadou Onana and a Dan Burn own goal saw Unai Emery’s side move up to sixth, within two points of Newcastle in third.

The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell, George Caulkin and Chris Waugh pick apart the key talking points…

Ollie Watkins proves his value

Despite remaining top scorer, Ollie Watkins’ importance to Villa and Unai Emery has noticeably reduced in recent months. A consequence of his toiling form and Villa having richer attacking depth, he is no longer looked to as the key source of goals. 

He has been omitted from crunch matches, such as the two Champions League quarter-final legs against Paris Saint-Germain, with Emery favouring Marcus Rashford, who is now regarded as a No 9 in his system.

This has essentially led to Watkins becoming overlooked in Villa’s quest for Champions League football next season, struggling for rhythm and to overcome small, frustrating injuries. His future has been a bone of contention since Arsenal made their interest known in January and discussions will be held as to his longer-term plans this summer.

Having been chosen to start this time around, the onus was on the 29-year-old to rediscover the form that made him the first player in Europe’s top five leagues last season to register 15 goals and 10 assists.

To exacerbate the necessity of finding momentum quickly, Watkins was one goal away from Gabriel Agbonlahor’s record as Villa’s all-time Premier League goalscorer (74). 

As it transpired, the tension in Watkins vanished after 30 seconds. After wriggling away from pressure, he hit a strike that deflected off Fabian Schar and past Nick Pope. It gave the forward a confidence boost and meant he had equalled Agbonlahor.

Watkins was a threat throughout, constantly running off Newcastle’s centre-backs and showing clarity in his decision-making. He brought team-mates into play and was at heart of Villa’s best work, hitting the crossbar after a powerful left-footed effort before heading on to the post. In the first 28 minutes, Watkins had scored and hit two different parts of the woodwork.

He had a penalty appeal dismissed and gave Schar a scare when the defender — who was Newcastle’s last man — brought him down. The referee, Jarred Gillett, showed Schar a yellow card, though the decision was borderline as Villa Park yelled for a sending off.

Watkins second-half assist for Ian Maatsen’s goal was from a typical Watkins position and from a typical Villa move — ripping Newcastle through the middle before the ball found him in the inside left channel. His weight of pass was perfect for Maatsen’s overlap and strike, offering a reminder of how big an advantage a fit and firing Watkins gives his team.

Jacob Tanswell

Emery’s subs pay off again

Emery’s penchant for inspired substitutions has been something of a trend in recent times. All three goals against Southampton last week were scored by substitutes and the theme extended a week later.

Villa were good in the first half but were mindful of Newcastle’s threat. Emery has been able to rotate over the last month due to having every player fit and available and having incredible strength in depth, which means there is not a discernible drop-off if changes are made.

However, Villa are peaking heading into the defining part of the season and also within matches. As Newcastle legs grew weary, Villa came on strong, kicking towards their favoured Holte End and powered by the replacements.

Jacob Ramsey and Amadou Onana were introduced in the 72nd minute and in the space of three minutes, had both played an integral part in Villa scoring twice more and putting Newcastle away. Ramsey crossed for Dan Burn’s deflected own goal while Onana’s strike – first time from outside the box – was thunderous and met with a similar response from supporters. Villa often score twice in quick succession and the impact from the substitutes is critical in winning matches against fellow rivals for a Champions League spot.

Jacob Tanswell

(Darren Staples/AFP via Getty Images)

Newcastle suffer for lack of rotation

For Newcastle, familiarity has bred content. 

For the seventh game in succession, the team was unchanged, becoming the first Premier League side since 2016 to do this across all competitions. 

Jason Tindall said before kick-off that his team “picks itself,” after a run of six consecutive victories but, in retrospect, perhaps it should not have done. On this occasion, consistency of selection brought inconsistency of performance. 

While Tindall’s logic was understandable – there is always a reluctance to change a winning side – fatigue rippled through his side in their third game within a week. After those fine victories over Manchester United and Crystal Palace, Newcastle’s efforts caught up with them.

Across the pitch, there were heavy legs. Kieran Trippier was targeted by Villa at right-back, Bruno Guimaraes waded through treacle in midfield and Alexander Isak struggled to make any impact up front. They were far from alone. 

In terms of athleticism and physicality, Villa had the measure of them, bouncing back from their acute disappointment in the Champions League. 

Newcastle have a tight squad in terms of quality and have not strengthened their first XI for three transfer windows, but not rotating was a choice rather than forced upon them. This was one game too many.

George Caulkin

Newcastle lose momentum in top five race

It is squeaky-bum time for Newcastle now with five fixture remaining. 

Their exceptional run of six successive victories in all competitions was always going to come to an end, but the devastating fashion in which Villa tore them apart during this second half has suddenly made the Champions League race appear extremely congested.

Only two points separate four teams between Newcastle in third and Villa in sixth, while seventh-placed Chelsea can also go level with Emery’s side if they overcome Fulham in the west London derby on Sunday.

There may be an additional spot in Europe’s premier competition via the Premier League this season, but two of those five teams are going to miss out. Newcastle remain favourites to secure one of the three slots, given they already have 59 points and host Ipswich Town next weekend, as well as top-five rivals Chelsea before the season is out.

Villa and fifth-placed Nottingham Forest have the FA Cup semi-finals to think about, and Chelsea are still in the UEFA Conference League, but Newcastle and Manchester City only have the top five to focus upon.

Whether that is an advantage remains to be seen, because Villa have serious momentum and, while Newcastle did until this weekend, it is important they respond to this humbling immediately. Whether that is with Eddie Howe back on the touchline, only time will tell.

Chris Waugh

What next for Aston Villa?

Tuesday, April 22: Manchester City (Away), Premier League, 8pm UK, 3pm ET

What next for Newcastle?

Saturday, April 26: Ipswich (Home), Premier League, 3pm UK, 10am ET

This news was originally published on this post .

Share on

email

Previous

trending_flat

Jets have different version of what happened with Aaron Rodgers, per report

Sports

Next

trending_flat

Friis chválil Kuchtu: Je to úplně jiný hráč. Maká na sto procent

Sports