Player Ratings: Aston Villa 2-0 Newcastle United

Aston Villa's manager ensured his side’s successful record against Geordie opposition was swiftly continued as his side ran out 2-0 victors.

Emi Martínez: 6

Due to the oppositions lack of attacking intensity, the goalkeeping Argentine was thus rewarded with his first clean sheet of the season subsequent through minimal output. Early in the first half the visitors found themselves presented with a glorious opportunity to open the scoring through striker Callum Wilson. However, the goalkeeper maintained positioning and enlarged himself narrowing the angle down for Wilson and thus seeing his effort fly wayward of the Holte End net.

Having seen his side establish a two-goal lead, heading into the closing stages the goalkeeper was rushed off his line in an attempt to clear the ball in which he conceded a penalty and yellow card due to a dangerous tackle in the process; before VAR intervened deeming the Newcastle attacker offside and thus ruling out the following passage of play.

Matty Cash: 7

With the addition of new set-piece coach (Austin MacPhee). The former Nottingham Forest defender was tasked with implementing a new attacking dimension with his ‘long throw’ technique. This seemingly asked questions of the Newcastle defence as just seconds before the interval Cash’s long throw resulted in Danny Ings endearing himself to the home crowd with a bicycle kick to give the Villans a goal advantage heading into half-time.

Ezri Konsa: 6

The young defender regained his successful centre back pairing with Tyrone Mings to ensure his sides first clean sheet of the campaign.

Tyrone Mings: 8

Eager to show his new captains armband off to the home crowd, Tyrone Mings displayed responsibility in both phases of the pitch in order to earn his side’s first clean sheet of the season. However, when placed in slightly unusual territory in the attacking third, Mings won a crucial header from the long throw providing a rare assist for Danny Ings, whilst his header was handled inside the box winning the penalty for the second goal.

Ashley Young: 6

Having been moved into a more defensive role of left back for this one, Ashley Young nullified the rapid threat of Allan Saint-Maximin with great success denying the opposition forward any opportunity to work the ball into the attacking third and cutting the bridge between his connection with striker Callum Wilson.

Douglas Luiz: 5

Having recently returned from Olympic duty, the Brazilian anchored the midfield allowing the more attacking midfield pairing a more lenient attacking role when in the final third of the pitch.

John McGinn: 6

Finding himself lining up in a midfield three, the Scotsman utilised his attacking responsibility well moving the ball further forward easier, with less defensive responsibility the midfielder was allowed more time on the ball subsequently leading to higher progressions in the attacking third for the home side.

Jacob Ramsey: 7

Having been recalled to the starting line up following an impressive substitute cameo last time out, The youngster’s impressive ball retention skills and passage of play movement was met with chants of ‘He’s One Of Our Own’ from the home crowd as his responsibility clearly aided by the use of a three man midfield allowed the academy graduate to progress and successfully bridging the partnership with the striker.

Anwar El Ghazi: 6

With the Dutchman lining up on his favoured left hand flank again, he struggled to provide the necessary impact on attacking moves; struggling to retain possession whilst unable to create dangerous opportunities. Despite this, when called upon El Ghazi maintained his 100% penalty record, thus sealing all three points for his side after his spot kcik was empatically tucked away following a lengthy stoppage for VAR.

Emi Buendía: 6

Having adopted a central role in his debut defeat at Vicarage Road, the Argentine found himself in more familiar territory on the right hand side as he looked to endear himself to his new home supporters. The winger started the game with intent, managing to retain possession calmly under pressure whilst linking up well to help progress Villa into the attacking quarter of the pitch with more ease,

Danny Ings: 8

Being the prolific striker he is, Danny Ings is no stranger to scoring a goal at Villa Park, however on this occasion his goal was met by a triumphant roar of joy from the home faithful. His sweetly executed overhead kick found its way into the back of the net seconds before the half-time interval giving his home side the advantage heading into the break.

Substitutes:

Jaden Philogene-Bidace (SUB) 6

Axel Tuanzebe (SUB) 6

Wesley (SUB) 6