Ben Arfa torments Villa! Aston Villa 1-2 Newcastle

Gouffran celebrates scoring the winner
Gouffran celebrates scoring the winner
Hatem Ben Arfa put in another eye-catching performance as Newcastle recorded a first away league win of the season at only the second attempt.

Ben Arfa scored one and set up another as United emerged 2-1 victors at Villa Park, with Ben Arfa proving to be tormentor in chief for Paul Lambert’s men.

The away side started brightly and looked the more assured of the two sides in the opening exchanges. United were keeping the ball well and made the most of facing a Villa side which looked disjointed and who struggled to get back into the swing of things after the international break. That resulted in United taking an 18th minute lead when Loic Remy surged past Matt Lowton on the left and crossed for Papiss Cisse who helped the ball on for Hatem Ben Arfa to apply the finish from six yards out.

We could have added more through half chances for Remy, Cabaye and Cisse along with having appeals for a penalty waved away by Mike Dean but it wasn’t to be whilst Villa fudged two decent chances through Ciaran Clark and Andreas Weimann ensuring the away side held the half-time advantage.

Paul Lambert must have had something to say during the interval as his side applied the pressure in second period. Gabriel Agbonlahor saw an effort deflected wide before missing a guilt-edged chance from just six yards out following good work from Lowton and Weimann on the right.

It took until 67 minutes for the Villa pressure to pay off after an error of judgement from Tim Krul saw him fail to claim a corner from Ashley Westwood allowing Christian Benteke to nod home into an unguarded net from eight yards out.

That goal woke the Villa Park faithful up although thankfully it was only for a brief period. United always looked threatening in attack and once again it was Ben Arfa who proved to be the key to unlock the three points as he sauntered in from the left before firing at goal only to see Brad Guzan spill the ball into the path of Yoan Gouffran who fired in the rebound to restore the lead for the away side.

Papiss Cisse headed narrowly wide and Cheik Tiote had a long range effort saved but Villa rarely threatened to equalise again and United comfortably held on to the final whistle to grab three points in an impressive showing far beyond my own lowly expectations.

Howay the lads!

Aston Villa: Brad Guzan, Matt Lowton, Ron Vlaar, Jores Okore, Antonio Luna, Karim El Ahmadi, Ashley Westwood, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Fabian Delph, Christian Benteke, Andreas Weimann

Subs: Jed Steer, Ciaran Clark, Lenadro Bacuna, Nicklas Helenius, Yacouba Sylla, Aleksander Tonev, Libor Kozak

Newcastle: Tim Krul; Mathieu Debuchy, Fabricio Coloccini, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Davide Santon; Vurnon Anita, Moussa Sissoko, Yohan Cabaye; Loic Remy, Papiss Cisse, Hatem Ben Arfa

Subs: Rob Elliot, Paul Dummett, Steven Taylor, Cheik Tiote, Sylvain Marveaux, Sammy Ameobi, Yoan Gouffran

Attendance: 37,554

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

158 thoughts on “Ben Arfa torments Villa! Aston Villa 1-2 Newcastle

  1. Djebs9 – we have one big thing in common – neither of us have a clue what you’re talking about!.
    I have never slagged Hatem off and having never rated Silva, Ozil or any other player you mention – I struggle to see how you can claim I’m the first?!

    My exact words on Benny:

    Please keep things in perspective. The lad is our best, most creative player by far and maybe one of Newcastles best players of my time – but top 5 in the world?!…… Madness.

    I’ve said that he could be one of the best players of my time supporting NUFC – 25yrs of so.

    But he is not in the top 5-10 players in the world and that’s my opinion. That’s not me saying that there is always a problem, that’s just me not buying into your delusional Benny loving.
    Writing things in capital letters doesn’t make your point right – fact and stat simply does not back up your claim.

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  2. Ok ..i pardon u… 😐
    Perhaps u have a problem to read post ..clean ur glasses mate..
    I say the one best top 5 or 10 “PLAYMAKER” ❗ ❗ ❗ not players ❗ ❗ ok ❓
    When u see ozil or walcot or silva (playmakers ) midlle player ❗ not AC or goalscorer like falcao ronaldo ibra rooney cavani or aguero…ok ❓
    In midlle or winger players my friend sharpy17.i think (and i can think freedomly )
    Hatem ben arfa is one of the best playemaker middlle player on the world ❗
    Not only in nedcastle team ❗
    U can support the club since 100 years the probleme is not here ..ok ❓
    I m not a guy who loves appoligies of my delf..but trust me i love football and great players stars like vanbasten cruif platini ronaldo rivaldo romario zidane diego maradonna messi …this fiuriclass player …and i hope ben arfa come one of them soon ❗
    But this time his one of 10 best middle player on his winger in the world ❗
    Sorry but HAPPY OR NOT IT S GHE SAME MATE 😉
    Come on take it easy lads…big biz ❗ 😎

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  3. Djebs – thanks for clarifying the difference between a player and play maker 😆
    However you’re still wrong I’m afraid mate. He’s very good but he’s still a long way off top 5-10 – unless you can provide me with evidence that proves otherwise my old cocker 😉

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  4. If ucannot see the elementary of evidence…if u cannot see the bannal touch and a ben arfa s touch of pure class..skills ..pur vision and clinik pass..if u cannot see the fire on his left or right leg ! 😯
    If u cannot see control class…or combined one two quikly… 😯
    Torifik skils ❗
    If u cannot see that on any pur fioriclass player ❗
    Sorry my twins cooker …I CAN DO ANYTHING FOR YOU ❗
    Change sports ..perhaps volley ball or croket is better for you…well..i hope.. ❗ 😳
    Have nice evening coco… 😉

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  5. Djebs – you’re right kiddo, there is sweet FA you can do for me bonnylad. There is something you can do for yourself though – get fucking really!!.

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  6. fucking what ❓ damned ❗ u re angry ❓ furious ❓ 👿 😯
    Please…control ur self man.. don t fucking with me …..so keep corect man and keep kool . 😎 …see u mate..

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