Newcastle 1-0 Aston Villa
by Harry De Cosemo

KIERAN TRIPPIER scored direct from a free kick for the second match in succession to help Newcastle United to a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at St James’ Park.

It is a third successive win for Eddie Howe’s side, who are unbeaten in five matches, with evidence growing that they have the mettle for a relegation battle between now and May.

Villa, meanwhile, were uncharacteristically toothless in attack, with the exception of Ollie Watkins’s offside goal in the second half. Philippe Coutinho struggled to impact the game, and Steven Gerrard cut a frustrated figure in the dugout.

Howe says the Magpies are in a “good place” after taking as many points in the last five games as in the previous 18.

“In the last three matches, there hasn’t been any secret to how we’ve won,” the told reporters on Zoom.

“I don’t think they’ve been fluent football performances, where we’ve played from back to front. But it has been very disciplined with hard work, energy, a lot of team work and team spirit.

“That has made the difference for us; big compliments for everyone because they are the hardest things to deliver consistently, and for the last three games we’ve certainly had them.”

Newcastle started with great intensity and purpose, and took the lead 10 minutes before the break. Initially given a penalty when Joe Willock was brought down by Calum Chambers, VAR intervened and said the foul occurred outside the area.

Not that it mattered; Trippier stepped up to add to his goal against Everton in midweek to put the hosts deservedly ahead.

Villa were far too slow and passive for much of the half, but went close in stoppage time through John McGinn, whose shot was deflected wide by an unknowing Chris Wood.

No sooner had the second half began than Trippier became a second casualty of the game for Newcastle after Javi Manquillo. He has been sent for an X-ray amid fears of a broken foot.

Villa started on the front foot and went close when Matty Cash flashed an effort across goal.

Allan Saint-Maximin laboured early on after the break but suddenly exploded into action, first leading a counterattack and then firing wide.

The tide swung against Newcastle again when Watkins thought he’d equalised after the hour. He headed in from closer range and looked to have been played onside by Emil Krafth, but VAR decided otherwise.

Dan Burn’s impact at the back could not be understated for Newcastle, who defended resolutely but continued to press in order to see out the game and climb four points clear of the bottom three, despite staying in 17th.

Gerrard refused to blame VAR for the defeat and says Villa got what they deserved in the end.

“VAR took a long time to make a decision and that tells you it was extremely close,” he said.

“Sometimes you perform to a level away from home where you make your own luck, but I don’t think we were anywhere near it today, so we have no complaints with the outcome.

“It might have been different if it went in our favour, but we’d be clutching at straws if we were looking towards VAR.”