Fabian Schar was the unexpected brace scorer as Newcastle United went into Villa Park and took all three points from Aston Villa, a result which could jumpstart the Magpies’ Champions League hopes back to life.
As things stand, Newcastle (32 points) are eight point off 5th-place Tottenham (with an extra UEFA Champions League spot expected to go to an English club next season) with 16 games left to play. Aston Villa (43 points) remain 4th in the Premier League table for the time being, but that would change with a Tottenham victory against Brentford on Wednesday.
It was scoreless after a half-hour, but 2-0 by the 36th minute as Schar scored twice in four minutes (his first two PL goals of the season) to give Eddie Howe’s side all they would need on the night. Kieran Trippier served a corner kick to the top of the six-yard box for the first goal, and Schar turned it home with a deft finish while fighting off his marker.
Four minutes later, Anthony Gordon’s shot from distance was blocked halfway to goal, but the ball spilled in open space once again in the six, and Schar was in the right place at the right time to clean up.
Alex Moreno was in the wrong place at the wrong time, in the 52nd minute, and was charged with an own goal to make it 3-0 to Newcastle. Miguel Almiron clipped a cross to the far post as Newcastle countered, and Jacob Murphy got on the end of it, but his touch sent the ball back into play rather than into the goal. Fortunately for Murphy, Moreno slid in to bundle it over the line.
Ollie Watkins turned home a Leon Bailey cross in the 71st minute to give Aston Villa a lifeline, but that’s as close as Unai Emery’s side would get. Aston Villa have won just one of their last five PL games (1W-2D-2L).
Alexander Isak injury a worry for Newcastle (again)
Alexander Isak, who already missed a month of action earlier this season, was forced off with an apparent injury in the 43rd minute. Newcastle’s star striker was in red-hot form (five goals in his last five appearances – all competitions) heading into Tuesday’s game. Another absence would certainly be a big miss for Newcastle with Callum Wilson also out injured, though the Magpies have only won four of the eight PL games in which Isak has scored this season, including twice against Villa — 5-1 on opening day and 3-1 on Tuesday.
What’s next?
Aston Villa will try to bounce back against last-place Sheffield United on Saturday (12:30 pm ET), while Newcastle hope to keep the good times rolling against Luton Town earlier in the day (10 am ET)
