Alexander Isak continued his remarkable scoring run as Newcastle United defeated Aston Villa 3-0 in a match that saw the visitors reduced to 10 men. The result moved Newcastle to fifth in the Premier League table, further boosting their hopes of securing European football next season.
Early goal sets the tone for Newcastle
The home side wasted no time, opening the scoring just 80 seconds after kick-off. Anthony Gordon found the net with a beautifully curled shot from the edge of the penalty area after Joelinton launched a counterattack sparked by Sandro Tonali’s interception deep in Newcastle’s half. Gordon’s goal marked his fourth of the season and put the Magpies firmly in control from the outset.
Villa’s task became even more challenging in the 32nd minute when striker Jhon Duran was shown a straight red card for a stamp on Fabian Schar. The referee, Anthony Taylor, deemed Duran’s action deliberate, a decision that Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, strongly contested. Despite Duran’s protests that the contact was accidental, the dismissal left Villa with an uphill battle.
Isak shines again as Newcastle takes charge
Having scored a hat-trick against Ipswich Town in the previous match, Isak added another to his tally early in the second half. The Swedish forward converted Jacob Murphy’s low cross from close range, bringing his league total to 11 goals this season. His clinical form has been a key factor in Newcastle’s recent resurgence.
Although Villa attempted to regroup, Newcastle continued to dominate, with Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar coming close to extending the lead. The hosts thought they had a second when Guimaraes scored following an Isak assist, but the ball had gone out of play in the buildup.
In the final minutes, Joelinton capitalized on a mistake by Villa’s Amadou Onana to score Newcastle’s third, sealing an emphatic victory.
Villa struggles as Newcastle eyes European return
Villa’s defeat marked their fifth consecutive away loss in the league, dropping them to ninth in the standings. Duran’s absence will now add to their challenges, with the Colombian striker set to miss the next three fixtures, including key clashes against Brighton, Leicester, and West Ham.
Newcastle’s form, by contrast, has been scintillating. Since a defeat to Brentford earlier in December, Eddie Howe’s side has netted 14 goals in four games. Their latest success follows a series of commanding performances, including 4-0 victories over Leicester and Ipswich, as well as a Carabao Cup quarterfinal win over Brentford.
“We’re in a great place right now,” said Howe. “Our attacking players are confident, and Alexander Isak is showing his incredible quality. He’s exactly the player we need.”
As Newcastle fans celebrated another strong performance, the team’s sights remain firmly set on climbing higher and securing a return to European competition.
