The last game of Week 13 of the English Premier League, saw Aston Villa defeating Newcastle at home, 2-0. It was a well-deserved victory for the Villains who snapped a series of bad results with this success. Three points from this contest, no doubt, made the current situation for the home team more relaxed.
Aston Villa’s Strong Start
Right from the start, the hosts have imposed their tempo and were the much better side on the pitch. They won all the battles in the midfield but weren’t able to score. As for the Magpies, the visitors did record two shots on goal, looking for their opportunities to net from the counter-attack.
The percentage of ball possession was massively on Villa’s side 68-32, and in almost all the statistical areas, the home team was better. It resulted in two goals, both the late part of the opening sequence.
Hourihane – Hero of the Day
Conor Hourihane showed a touch of his magic, in the 32nd minute. The referee awarded a free-kick from the edge of the box close to its left corner. Hourihane tipped the ball to Jack Grealish in order to reach a bit better angle, and after that, he sent a laser-precise curve past Dubravka.
Hourihane was once again in the middle of attention just four minutes later. Another free-kick, from almost the same position, only this time the Irish midfielder assisted. His target was Anwar El-Ghazi, who scored from a nearby, inside the goalkeeper area, getting a colossal lead for the home team. It was a one-two punch which dazzled the guests who couldn’t recover from it, and what is more important, boosted Villa, who continued attacking, even in the second half.
On at least two occasions, the hosts might have doubled the lead, but it was either Dubravka or some other factor that prevented the goal. But even a 2-0 victory didn’t disappoint the Villains. Following the losses against Manchester City, Liverpool, and Wolves, this triumph comes as a breath of fresh air for Dean Smith’s crew.
Meanwhile, Newcastle came into this one with three straight games in which they haven’t lost. They would win in the latest two, against West Ham and Bournemouth, indicating that they might start climbing up the ladder.
After this game, the guests from the north have just one point more than Villa. Steve Bruce’s unit has 15 in 13 matches, and Villa 14.
Tough Schedule for the Villains
Newcastle is getting ready for his next weekend when they have Manchester City coming to Saint James Park. Although the champs are not playing confidently as they did in the previous seasons, they will be a massive problem for the Magpies. Following this one, they have a game against Sheffield United, before coming back home versus Southampton.
As for the former Europan champions, they are visiting Manchester United next Sunday, and after that, have another home game against Chelsea. A ferocious schedule continues right afterward when another team from the top of the table faces Smith’s side. That would be on December 8 when Leicester City visits Birmingham.
