NUFC player ratings vs Aston Villa - A host of awful 2s, several 3s and 4s + the odd 5

A horrible showing at Villa Park, as Unai Emery's side outworked us in all areas. Three away games on the spin has taken it’s toll on the squad as we looked totally spent and second best in every department. Less said about the game the better, let’s move onto next week.

Here come our marks out of 10 from that 3-0 defeat:

Nick Pope - 4 - Feel he could've done better with Watkins' goals, especially his second. He did make a couple of big saves with his feet to deny the striker, but he looked below his reliable best here.

Kieran Trippier - 2 - Moreno and Ramsay caused him absolute nightmares all afternoon. Looked second best to the tackle, was beaten in the air for Villa's opener and didn't get much going with Murphy in attack.

Fabian Schar - 2 - Looked slow against the lively Watkins. Really struggled to cope with his movement and energy, also getting booked in the first half for a late foul from behind. A really poor defensive performance which is surprising after his consistency this season.

Sven Botman - 2 - By far his worst game for the Magpies, as the big Dutchman was run ragged by Watkins. Couldn't get close to the striker from first minute to last and struggled to play out from the back all afternoon.

Dan Burn - 2 - Looked totally lost at left back and really, really struggled. Got done for Watkins’ second goal and looked so off the pace at both ends, chasing shadows defensively, being caught in possession and failing to get forward. It's easy to see why the club are looking at an orthodox left-back this summer, as the 6ft 7' Geordie's limitations have been evident in recent weeks.

Bruno Guimaraes - 4 - Failed to stamp his authority on the game but showed a few glimpses of real quality with some beautiful passes forward; his lob into Almiron was brilliant at 1-0 down. Seemed to struggle without the legs of Longstaff in midfield and didn't really press as he normally does; perhaps due to his ongoing ankle issue?

Joelinton - 3 - Looked like he was carrying granite slabs in his feet for this one. Was robbed of possession too often and wasn't snapping into tackles as he normally does. Like so many in the side, it was an out of character display from the usually brilliant Brazilian.

Joe Willock - 4 - Battled well but struggled to use his pace and dribbling ability going forward. Lacked options in transition, with little coming off for the ex-Arsenal man.

Jacob Murphy - 4 - In patches, he was our most dangerous player in the first half, but he often failed to make use of the space, struggled to combine with Trippier and looked shattered. Did whip in a majestic ball that Isak almost latched onto and fired one second half effort just wide.

Anthony Gordon - 3 - Must’ve been fired up to prove a point to his manager after his antics last weekend, however delivered a very forgettable performance, sadly. Didn't get into the game and never got past a 37-year-old Ashley Young. Really hoping for a response against Spurs.

Alexander Isak - 5 - Far too isolated in the first half, but got a fizzing shot off that forced Emi Martinez into an early save. So unlucky not to reach Murphy’s beautiful ball in the first half, played a lovely cross into Wilson in the second and came closest to scoring after that as a slick dummy and shot forced Martinez into another stop. Villa contained him well, but he was arguably the best of a bad bunch.

Substitutes:

Miguel Almiron - 5 - More of a threat than Murphy, but dragged a decet chance after a lovely ball in behind from Bruno.

Callum Wilson - 5 - Made some decent runs and almost tapped in Isak's cross, only to be flagged offside. Is it time to start him and Isak?

Matt Targett - 4 - Nice to see him back and will be hoping for a start next week. Sadly, he didn't cover himself in glory for Villa's third. He will be lacking match sharpness.

Sean Longstaff - 5 - We better when he came on the pitch. His energy was a big miss in the midfield battle. Showed fight late on and combative in the tackle. First name on the team sheet next week.

Elliot Anderson - N/A - Only on for 10 minutes. Tried to put himself about, but lost the ball in a poor area just before Villa's third.