Aston Villa Beat Newcastle 2-0 To Stay Pace With Manchester City In Title Challenge

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Aston Villa responded to their Everton setback with a controlled 2-0 win over Newcastle United at St James' Park. The victory keeps Unai Emery's side level on points with second-place Manchester City in the Premier League title race, while Newcastle now turn attention towards facing Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

Newcastle created enough openings to change the match yet failed to take any of them. The hosts produced 2.3 expected goals, their highest xG total without scoring in a Premier League game since a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace in September 2022, and also suffered a first home league defeat since September.

Villa were far sharper in attack, striking first when Emiliano Buendia curled in a fine effort from distance on 19 minutes. That goal continued Villa’s pattern of threatening from range, and it arrived after Sandro Tonali almost put Newcastle ahead inside 37 seconds with an early drive.

Buendia’s opener contributed to a wider trend. Villa now have 13 Premier League goals from outside the box this season, more than any other team and their highest top-flight tally since recording 16 such strikes in 2007-08. Newcastle’s problems deepened after half-time when Joelinton went off injured during the early stages.

Although Newcastle pressed, Aston Villa stayed organised and punished them late on. Emiliano Martinez, making a 200th league appearance for Villa, crucially stopped Lewis Miley before half-time. Later, Ollie Watkins forced Nick Pope into a strong save from distance, then headed in Lucas Digne’s precise cross to secure the visitors’ second goal.

Villa’s forwards shared the workload rather than relying on one finisher. Both Buendia and Watkins attempted four shots, with each sending three efforts on target. That accuracy highlighted Villa’s attacking edge in a tight Premier League contest, while Newcastle’s wasteful finishing leaves important questions before the meeting with Paris Saint-Germain.