Newcastle United’s winless run continues with a 2-0 loss vs. Aston Villa
With a 2-0 loss vs. Aston Villa, Newcastle United have now gone without a win in ten consecutive matches. The Magpies have scored just one goal in their last eight outings.
Just like the rest of the matches in this abysmal stretch, Newcastle United couldn’t get much of the ball, couldn’t connect on crosses, and couldn’t get anything going in the attack. They finished with five shots, only one on target, and 40% possession.
On the other end, the defense was undone by two poor plays in the first half.
The opening goal for Aston Villa came as Fabian Schar’s deflection perfectly set up Ollie Watkins, who beat Karl Darlow to the ball and headed it home. Darlow, for whatever reason, didn’t extend his arms to try and punch the ball away. Jack Grealish found Bertrand Traore making a free run into the box for the second Villa tally.
In the slightest of silver linings, Allan Saint-Maximin came off the bench and made his return after battling a calf injury and COVID-19 since 11/21. Javier Manquillo was also back in the mix, starting at right-back.
This was another vintage Steve Bruce performance for the club. Since deciding to play “his way”, the club has lost back-to-back matches and was shut out in both. His seat should now be escalated from hot to on fire, but there doesn’t seem to be any urgency from Mike Ashley & Co. to move on from this embarrassing era of soccer at Newcastle United.
dark. Next. This NUFC player has a right to be frustrated at his situation
What’s Next?
Newcastle United have a quick turnaround as they are set to host Leeds United on Tuesday. Marcelo Bielsa’s side hammered the Magpies, 5-2, back in mid-December. They’ve lost three consecutive matches, including an FA Cup blowout defeat vs. League Two’s Crawley Town.