‘He is scared’: Pat Nevin claims one Newcastle United player was invisible in Aston Villa loss
The wheels came off Newcastle United’s impressive six-match winning streak in brutal fashion at Villa Park, as Aston Villa dismantled Eddie Howe’s men with a performance that exposed worrying cracks in the Magpies’ armor.
What began as a potential title six-pointer quickly descended into a defensive horror show, leaving assistant manager Jason Tindall with plenty to ponder as he deputized for the absent Howe.
Villa needed just 54 seconds to breach Newcastle’s backline, Ollie Watkins’ shot taking a cruel deflection off Fabian Schar to wrongfoot Nick Pope. The early setback set the tone for a torrid evening where Newcastle’s usually resilient defense resembled a malfunctioning turnstile.
While Schar momentarily redeemed himself with a textbook header from Harvey Barnes’ pinpoint cross after 17 minutes, this proved merely a brief respite in Villa’s relentless onslaught.
The second half unfolded like a tactical nightmare for the visitors. Villa’s devastating 11-minute blitz – featuring goals from John McGinn, Leon Bailey, and Callum Chambers – laid bare Newcastle’s defensive disorganization.
McGinn’s rasping drive from the edge of the box exposed Pope’s questionable positioning, Bailey’s clever near-post run embarrassed Kieran Trippier, and Chambers’ tap-in completed the rout after Newcastle’s zonal marking collapsed yet again.
Midfield Malaise
Pat Nevin’s scathing assessment of Joelinton’s performance rang painfully true. The Brazilian powerhouse, so often Newcastle’s midfield enforcer, became a shadow of himself after receiving his 10th yellow card of the season.
“He’s playing with the handbrake on,” observed Nevin during commentary, noting how Joelinton’s trademark aggression vanished as he nervously avoided further disciplinary action. His 80th-minute foul – a desperate lunge born of frustration – perfectly encapsulated Newcastle’s collective meltdown.
Alongside him, Bruno Guimarães endured one of his least effective performances in black and white. The captain’s usually impeccable passing radar malfunctioned (completing just 78% of attempts), while his petulant reactions to referee decisions risked a second yellow.
Villa’s midfield trio of Boubacar Kamara, Douglas Luiz, and Jacob Ramsey outmuscled and outthought their more vaunted opponents, winning 60% of midfield duels.
Attacking Impotence
While Newcastle’s defensive frailties dominated headlines, their attacking shortcomings proved equally concerning. Alexander Isak’s anonymous display – just 18 touches in 77 minutes – highlighted his ongoing struggle to replicate early-season form.
The Swedish striker failed to register a single shot on target against Villa’s high line, a startling statistic for a player of his caliber.
Only Barnes emerged with credit from Newcastle’s forward line, his assist for Schar’s goal demonstrating the direct running and precise delivery that has made him such an asset.
Yet even his influence waned as Villa’s fullbacks adjusted to nullify his threat. Substitute Callum Wilson’s late introduction changed little, the striker starved of service as Newcastle’s midfield failed to establish any semblance of control.
This comprehensive defeat serves as a sobering reality check for Newcastle’s Champions League aspirations. While they remain third in the table, the performance raised legitimate questions about their ability to sustain a title challenge.
Villa’s tactical flexibility – seamlessly shifting between a high press and compact mid-block – completely flummoxed Newcastle, exposing concerning tactical inflexibility in Howe’s system.
The statistics paint a damning picture: Villa outshot Newcastle 18-7, won 58% of duels, and completed nearly 100 more passes. Most worryingly, Newcastle’s expected goals (xG) of 0.8 was their lowest since September, suggesting systemic attacking issues beyond mere profligacy.
With a crucial home game against Ipswich looming, Newcastle must address several urgent concerns:
- Defensive organization – Zonal marking failures and fullback vulnerabilities require immediate attention
- Midfield balance – The Guimarães-Joelinton axis looked badly exposed against quality opposition
- Attacking variety – Over-reliance on Isak becomes problematic when he’s misfiring
Howe’s return to the dugout cannot come soon enough. While Tindall admirably steadied the ship during Newcastle’s winning run, this defeat highlighted the importance of Howe’s meticulous preparation and in-game management.
The Ipswich match now becomes a litmus test of Newcastle’s character – will they bounce back with the resilience of contenders, or allow self-doubt to derail their promising season?
One thing is certain: Premier League contenders cannot afford such comprehensive off-days. As Villa celebrated a statement victory, Newcastle’s players trudged off knowing they’d been thoroughly outplayed in every department. The response to this setback will define their season far more than the defeat itself.