Newcastle 4-0 Aston Villa: Magic Mags run riot in second half massacre at SJP
Well, that was fun! Another first class display from Eddie Howe's high-flying Mags as a 4-0 win over Aston Villa consolidated our spot in the top four!
Callum Wilson boosted his England hopes in style with a brilliant brace in front of Gareth Southgate, Joelinton found the net as Brazil boss Tite watched on from St James' Park and Miguel Almiron scored AGAIN, curling a stunning left-footed effort into the top corner to round off a magical afternoon on Tyneside.
The result keeps us in fourth place and three points ahead of Chelsea; who remain fifth after suffering a 4-1 battering at Brighton, sending a reminder to the rest of the Premier League that we mean business in our first full season under Eddie Howe and new owners!
The first half was a bitty affair that was never really allowed to get going, but we battered the Villains in the final 45, looking sharp, confident and brimming with quality all over the pitch to make it eight games unbeaten and five wins from our last six.
For all our goals and free-flowing football in the final third, Nick Pope was a spectator once again. He's faced just four shots in our last two home games, failing to make a single save this afternoon for the second match running at St James' Park. Our forward players will make the headlines, but that speaks volumes!
We made a lively start. Joelinton looked sharp down the left and we were threatening to get in down the other flank too, with Trippier and Almiron looking to run beyond Young from Bruno’s balls in behind. Villa were posing a threat on the counter in patches, having pace out wide in Bailey and Watkins, but we were the better side at the 30 minute mark, even though our only effort on goal was Joelinton’s low shot that was parried by Martinez.
Moments later, the biggest chance of the first half fell Villa’s way. After Bailey left Schar for dead down the left, he cut in and found Buendia; who looked destined to score only for a goal-saving block from big Dan Burn. One let off was followed by another as Buendia then had another chance, only this time it was Trippier who came to our rescue with a huge block. At this point, we’d lost our control of the game; although it was horribly lacking in rhythm thanks so some Aston Villa time-wasting and poor refereeing.
Thankfully, those tactics fired up the crowd and the team responded. First, Almiron had a sweeping effort saved by Olsen - who’d just come on for the injured Martinez - but our in-form Paraguayan won us a penalty during the 10 minutes of added time, as an Ashley Young handball gave Wilson the chance to score from the spot in front of Gareth Southgate. Our ice cool number nine didn’t disappoint, chipping it straight down the middle to give us a 1-0 lead going into the break. It was almost two when Willock played Wilson in behind moments later, only for the offside flag to deny us another after the striker had rounded the goalkeeper and fired home.
The second half was a joy to watch. Our fitness levels shone through, we wanted it more, picked up the pace of our play and simply ran riot in front of a packed out St James' Park who just couldn't get enough!
Wilson's second came from a well worked corner that ended in a Trippier cross he heaeded home, then it was Wilson's low shot that led to Joelinton's well deserved strike, with the Brazilian bundling home after our number nine's effort was blocked by Olsen.
Three then became four as Almiron cut in from the left and unleashed a stunning effort into the far corner, making it SIX goals in six games for the Paraguayan; who lapped it up in front of the Gallowgate end as more brilliant celebrations followed.
Botman was faultless once again, Burn made some huge blocks, Schar continued his unflappable form at the back, Trippier was brilliant (again) at both ends, Longstaff put in another strong display, Joelinton was a man mountain and worthy of his goal, Murphy brilliant from the bench, Almiron electric, Bruno our Brazilian maestro and Wilson doing what he does best; scoring goals at St James' Park!
Next up, a trip to Southampton next Sunday!
