Emi Buendía’s moment of brilliance laid the foundation for Aston Villa’s gritty 2-0 Premier League victory over Newcastle at St James’ Park, a result that kept Unai Emery’s side firmly in the hunt for a top-two finish.
The Argentine midfielder produced a sublime long-range finish in the first half before Ollie Watkins sealed the points late on with a powerful header, handing Villa their first league win on Tyneside since 2005.
Goalkeeper Emi Martínez also played a decisive role, producing two outstanding first-half saves to deny Sandro Tonali and Lewis Miley as Newcastle failed to convert their early pressure.
Villa were sharp and purposeful in attack while showing resilience at the back, whereas the Magpies struggled to turn possession into meaningful chances, especially after the interval.
Eddie Howe’s side were dealt a blow by the absence of captain Bruno Guimarães, continuing a worrying trend given they had not won any of their previous eight league games without the Brazilian since his arrival in 2022.
Villa, too, were missing influential figures, notably Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn.
Newcastle almost struck inside the opening minute when Tonali burst into the box, but Martínez reacted superbly to block the Italian’s effort. At the other end, Nick Pope was quickly called into action, saving Buendía’s early strike after Tonali was dispossessed in midfield.
The hosts initially enjoyed the better spell, yet Pope needed to be alert again in the 12th minute to deny Watkins after a clever pass had put the striker through on goal.
Villa’s attacking trio of Buendía, Morgan Rogers and Watkins began to stretch Newcastle’s defence, and their pressure told in the 19th minute when Buendía was given too much room to unleash a dipping 20-yard effort that flew past Pope.
As tempers flared in a physical contest, Villa continued to look the more threatening side. Newcastle rallied late in the first half, with Martínez producing a superb one-handed save to keep out Miley’s looping header from Anthony Gordon’s cross.
The Magpies pushed harder after the restart, but their momentum was disrupted when Joelinton was forced off injured.
Chances followed, with Harvey Barnes and Gordon both going close, while Pope was again tested after a defensive lapse gifted Rogers a shooting opportunity.
Newcastle’s late surge ultimately left them exposed, and Villa made it count two minutes from time.
Pope initially clawed away a fierce effort, but from the resulting corner, Watkins rose highest to head home Matty Cash’s cross and confirm the victory.
It was a composed, disciplined display from Villa—and a costly missed opportunity for Newcastle.
