By our man at St James Park
ST JAMES’ PARK — Unai Emery’s high-flying Villans didn’t just break a 21-year curse on Tyneside; they smashed it to smithereens. In a display of pure clinical class, Aston Villa dismantled Newcastle 2-0 to keep their Premier League title dreams burning white-hot.
For the first time since April 2005, the traveling Villa faithful headed home from Newcastle with all three points, thanks to a masterclass from their South American stars and a late knockout blow from England’s own Ollie Watkins.
The Argentine magician, Emiliano Buendia, provided the spark that set the match alight in the 19th minute.
After some slick interplay from Morgan Rogers, Buendía picked up the ball 20 yards out and unleashed a physics-defying curler that gave Nick Pope absolutely no hope.
It was a goal worthy of winning any game, proving why he remains the heartbeat of Emery’s creative engine.
On his landmark 200th Premier League appearance, the “World’s Number One” was simply unbeatable. Before Villa even found their rhythm, Emiliano Martinez produced a stunning reflexive stop to deny Sandro Tonali’s solo effort.
He later pulled off a gravity-defying claw-back to keep out Lewis Miley’s looping header. It wasn’t just a clean sheet; it was a statement.
While Newcastle huffed and puffed, Ollie Watkins remained a constant menace. After seeing several efforts saved by the heroic Pope, Watkins finally got his reward in the 88th minute.
Rising highest to meet a pinpoint cross from substitute Lucas Digne, the striker buried a header to seal the points and leapfrog Villa level with Manchester City in the table.
MAGPIES MISERY
For Eddie Howe, it was a day to forget. Without the talismanic Bruno Guimarães, the Magpies lacked their usual bite in midfield.
Even with 60% possession and a staggering 2.3 xG (Expected Goals), they couldn’t find a way past the Villa wall.
To make matters worse, midfield engine Joelinton limped off injured, leaving a massive cloud over their upcoming Champions League clash with PSG.
Villa are now the real deal. From the shadows of the title race, they have emerged as genuine contenders, leaving the Toon Army silenced and St James’ Park conquered.
