Fabian Schär's double helps Newcastle end Aston Villa's unbeaten home run | first division

Given this was only Newcastle's second away win of the season, it's no surprise they seemed determined to savor every moment. Her followers, some of whom by the end were naturally topless despite the high temperatures, certainly did.

From Fabian Schär scoring two goals and, in added time, attempting a Cruyff turn after half-time and Anthony Gordon singing Who's That Team We Call United?, the Toon Army terrace anthem, while the players celebrated before the end of visit, There was a rich tapestry of snapshots of what seemed an important evening for Eddie Howe's side. Bruno Guimarães, after another magnificent performance, advanced through the tunnel with Kinder Bueno chocolate, his favorite sweet, given to him by a fan.

Villa's emotions after the final whistle were in stark contrast, a pale performance until Leon Bailey's arrival just after the hour paving the way to a first league defeat here in 346 days, since losing to Arsenal last February. Ollie Watkins scored his 50th Premier League goal for Aston Villa, becoming only the third player to reach that milestone after Gabby Agbonlahor and Dwight Yorke, but it was ultimately a deeply disappointing outing. Aside from Bailey, the positives were few and far between. For Unai Emery's team, it is already a victory in five league games. Is your assault on the top four slowing down?

Sean Longstaff could have added a fourth Newcastle goal in the 89th minute, but it was a five-star performance from Newcastle. The only sour note was a suspected groin injury which forced Alexander Isak off a few minutes before the end of the first half, leaving Howe without a genuine, fit striker. The manager is hopeful the injury is not too serious and, with Callum Wilson set to return to training after a calf problem, dismissed suggestions that Newcastle could turn to the transfer market before the deadline. from Thursday.

“I hope the window is finished,” Howe said. “There is very little time left to do anything inside or outside. “I don’t think we have the (financial) ability to do anything.”

Newcastle were winless 5-1 When these teams met at the start of the season, Villa were well aware of the kind of damage Howe's team are capable of inflicting, even if they had shown little of that threat away from St James' Park this season, losing their last five away games. matches in the league. Until this trip, their only away win in the top flight this campaign was their 8-0 dissection over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in September, when eight different players scored.

Schär was one of the few players not to score that day, but he was the unusual source of Newcastle's two first-half goals, spread over four minutes. Both came from Kieran Trippier corners, the first when Schär shook off Douglas Luiz and the second when the defender reacted quicker to Anthony Gordon's volley, which deflected off Clément Lenglet and bounced off the crossbar, his second and third goal of the season. .

In the first minute, Newcastle's plan to feast on space behind Villa's high line was clear. Isak was called offside while chasing a pass from Schär and moments later the striker gave a thumbs up to acknowledge Guimarães' lofted ball up the middle.

Until John McGinn issued a tough but fair challenge to Gordon, the game (and indeed the atmosphere) seemed strangely flat. The same as Villa's 0-0 draw in the FA Cup fourth round against Chelsea on Friday, perhaps just a sign of heightened expectations given his record this season. Howe is certainly familiar with that. “I told the players that I am very proud of them, our fans and our work at Villa Park,” Emery said. “A loss had to come and we cannot lose perspective. “When Newcastle played like they did, it's not easy to win.”

Schär was an ever-present presence for Newcastle, scoring at one end and extinguishing the danger at the other, making a vital clearance just a few minutes into the second half. Miguel Almirón is also a reliable outlet for Newcastle and when the substitute, who replaced Isak in the 43rd minute, burned down the left flank it spelled trouble for Villa. Jacob Murphy was waiting for a touch at the far post and, although he did not cleanly finish a cross from Almirón, his shot escaped from both feet, it was enough and Àlex Moreno ended up colliding with a post after a last attempt. to keep the ball out.

Bailey, who was not considered fit enough to start after a back problem, had a hand in Villa's goal. McGinn located Bailey on the right and the Jamaican supplied Watkins, who headed in his cross from close range. Emery took a quick look at the scoreboard. In other words: how much time is left? Two minutes later, Watkins, again fed by Bailey, thought he had reduced the deficit further, only for assistant referee Lee Betts to raise the flag on him. McGinn stopped his celebrations and a VAR review confirmed Watkins had strayed offside. Newcastle's, however, lasted well into the night.