Buendia Beauty Sends Villa Marching On at Newcastle
Villa end long Tyneside wait to keep top-two chase alive
Emi Buendía’s sublime long-range strike set Aston Villa on their way to a hard-fought 2–0 Premier League victory at Newcastle, as Unai Emery’s side maintained their push toward the top two.
The Argentina international’s curling effort midway through the first half, followed by a late Ollie Watkins header, sealed Villa’s first league win at St James’ Park since 2005. The result owed much to goalkeeper Emi Martínez, who produced two outstanding first-half saves to deny Sandro Tonali and Lewis Miley as Newcastle failed to convert promising spells of possession.
Villa were good value for the three points, combining slick attacking movement with resilient defending, while Eddie Howe’s side struggled to make their dominance count, particularly after the interval.
Early drama and decisive quality
Newcastle were almost ahead inside the opening minute when Tonali carved his way into the area, only for Martínez to block with an outstretched leg. At the other end, Nick Pope was quickly called into action to deny Buendía after the midfielder pounced on a loose touch from Tonali.
Despite Newcastle’s early energy, Villa began to grow into the contest. Watkins was denied by a sharp Pope save after being slipped in by Jadon Sancho, before the visitors finally broke through in the 19th minute. Given time and space 20 yards from goal, Buendía unleashed a dipping strike that flew beyond Pope and into the far corner.
Villa continued to cause problems through Morgan Rogers and Watkins, stretching the Newcastle back line and controlling the tempo as the first half progressed.
Newcastle pressure, Villa composure
The hosts responded late in the first half, with Martínez producing a superb one-handed save to tip over Miley’s looping header following an Anthony Gordon cross. Newcastle carried that momentum into the second half, but struggled to turn pressure into clear-cut chances.
Harvey Barnes and Gordon both went close as Howe’s side pushed forward, though their efforts were blunted by disciplined Villa defending and the absence of injured captain Bruno Guimarães. Newcastle’s task became harder when Joelinton was forced off, disrupting their rhythm further.
As the Magpies tired, Villa struck the decisive blow two minutes from time. Pope initially did well to claw away a powerful effort, but Watkins reacted quickest to head home from Matty Cash’s cross after Newcastle failed to clear the resulting corner.
The goal sealed a historic win on Tyneside and kept Villa firmly in the hunt near the top of the Premier League table.
