An awful performance and brutal end to our run of five straight wins, as Aston Villa inflicted our worst defeat of the season in a 3-0 thrashing at Villa Park.
We were wide open defensively, looked leggy in midfield and lacked quality or cohesion in attack. Mix that with a superb display from the home side and it was the perfect storm, sadly. On another day, they’d have scored four or five, as Unai Emery got the better of Eddie Howe in this tactical battle.
It was a worrying display and hard to watch at times. However, we must remember that this comes after three away games in 10 days, five straight wins and a season that’s rarely included off days like this. Does that excuse the performance? No. But all will be forgiven if we can beat top-four rivals Spurs next Sunday. It’s time for calm heads and a response a week tomorrow, not an overreaction.
Villa’s win sends them six points behind Newcastle and three behind Spurs; who will now move level on points with us should they beat Bournemouth in today’s 3pm kick-off.
Eddie Howe made one change, seeing Anthony Gordon come in for Sean Longstaff. Callum Wilson had to settle for a place on the bench and it was good to see Miguel Almiron in the squad after returning from a thigh injury.
Not for the first time in the past two away games, we almost handed the home side an early lead, as Ollie Watkins burst clean through, held off Botman and clipped the outside of the post after just 28 seconds.
A big let off and bright start from Villa, although they too were giving us encouragement by insisting on playing out from the back against our high-pressing attack.
Isak had our first effort, forcing Martinez into a decent stop with a powerful effort from the edge of the box, but we went 1-0 down on the 10-minute mark. It was that man Watkins who caused havoc again, as his cushioned header above Kieran Trippier allowed Jacob Ramsey to smash past Pope.
Another onslaught followed five minutes later. First Watkins had a powerful effort blocked by Pope’s outstretched leg, then Ramsey rattled the crossbar after latching onto Moreno’s cut-back. In truth, it was an easier chance than his first one and one he should’ve scored. This felt like the first half at Brentford, only Villa had the form and quality to punish us.
Schar was struggling with Watkins’ movement and pace, going into the book for a late challenge into the back of the lively striker. We needed to settle down and stay in the game. The only positive on the half-hour mark was that we were only one down, but we did come close as Murphy’s inviting ball across the box only just evaded Isak.
We were growing into the game leading up to the break, yet too many of our attacks were breaking down, with too many players not on the same wavelength. At the other end, it could’ve been two had Pope not been quick off his line to punch clear.
Few in black and white performed remotely well in the first 45. Gordon wasn’t grasping his chance, failing to get the better of an ageing Ashley Young, straying offside and shanking one clearance that almost lead to another Villa opening. Down the other flank, Murphy was also struggling. He found himself in good positions and had space to run into, yet often lacked conviction or final product.
We’d been pretty awful – slower to second balls, all-at-sea defensively, outrun in midfield and lacking quality or ideas in the final third – but Villa were impressive and good value for their lead. In fact, they must’ve been wondering how they hadn’t scored twice. Like last weekend, we needed some Eddie Howe magic and a much improved second half if we were to get anything out of this one.
No changes at the break and a poor start to the second 45 followed, as Watkins had another chance saved by Pope. Murphy flashed a decent effort wide and that was his last act as Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron replaced him and Anthony Gordon, seeing Willock move out to the left in more of a 4-4-1-1.
Our No 9 almost scored with his first touch, almost glancing Isak’s lovely ball beyond Emi Martinez. However, the Argentinian parried clear and the offside went up. Promising signs just seconds after the double change and another arrived moments later, as Isak had an edge of the box effort tipped over the bar by Martinez after a superb dummy sold the Villa defence. We weren’t done there, as the resultant corner led to Bruno’s brilliant lob into Almiron. He took the ball down at the back post but his effort was smashed into the side netting.
Straight back down the other end, Watkins burst clear (again), only this time his effort squirmed past Pope and into the net. VAR replays saved us, as the goal was disallowed for offside, yet it was soon 2-0 when Watkins was allowed to turn and finish from close range after more good work from the marauding Moreno. Once again, Villa had been impressive, yet this was the most open we’d looked all season and a really disappointing end to our run of three-straight away games.
Burn and Willock were then replaced by Targett and Longstaff. The former had struggled all afternoon, giving away too many free kicks, failing to play out and losing his battles against Buendia. He’s done a great job for us and can remain a solid squad player, but days like today remind us why we needed a more well-rounded and natural left-back.
With 15 to play, we had a chance to halve the deficit as Trippier’s cutback found Almiron, who took a touch and had his effort blocked by Mings. It hadn’t quite fell for us in the final third all day, but we were lucky it was only two at the other end.
A late sub then followed, seeing Elliot Anderson replace Joelinton with 10 minutes remaining. We needed a miracle to get something out of this, but any hopes of a late comeback were totally ended as that man Watkins scored again. It was awful defending down our left-hand side and equally static in the box, as the unmarked striker added another to make it 3-0. Watkins deserved his brace and had got the better of Schar and Botman all day, with the usually reliable pair unable to cope with his pace and movement.
Next up, a truly massive game on Tyneside next Sunday, where top-four rivals Tottenham come to town.
STARTING 11: Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Willock, Bruno, Joelinton – Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
SUBS: Dubravka, Lascelles, Manquillo, Targett, Ritchie, Longstaff, Anderson, Almiron, Wilson
It’s been coming for a while, surprised it was only three!
Have been sloppy at the back since the turn of the year and reaped the rewards today.
Perhaps too many games for a thin squad ?
Joseph(Quote)
Cannot disagree with any of that Olly. I know it’s still just our fourth loss this season, but I expect so much better from this team than we saw today. Need to change something next week for sure. We wear truly awful today and Villa had the better of us all over the park.
Must win next week to keep our CL hopes alive.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Well well well. Spurs lose as well.
Must win next week
PremAndUp(Quote)
Yup, only the 4th defeat of the season but it was the manor in which we lost today that’s the biggest disappointment.
7 games to go & im sure Howe will be into the boys.
Spurs losing today is further incentive – what a game that makes next weekend by the way!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Joseph – I don’t agree it’s been coming for a while. Prior to the Brentford game we schooled Man Utd & thumped WH convincingly imo.
The first half at Brentford was very poor but we were far the better team in that second half.
I give Emery credit though, he did his homework on our CBs weaknesses & exposed every one of them today.
His midfield also bossed the game & not too many sides have managed to do that against our boys this season.
I think that would have really hurt Howe today. There were a few pre match comments around him being second choice to Emery & im sure he would have loved to get the better of him today – he certainly wouldn’t want a convincing 3-0 off him – that’ll leave a bitter taste for sure.
It’s about who licks their wounds quickest for next Sunday now. It’s still very much ours to lose imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I shouldn’t really admit this but I honestly thought a win today & we had an outside chance of winning the league 😂.
It would have only put us 3 points behind City in 2nd & 6 off Arsenal. I think we have a really decent run of games in the final 7 & results against Spurs & Arsenal from those games could have given a real chance.
Didn’t think I’d be admitting that when I struggled to buy into Prems top 4 predictions earlier in the season 🤦🏼♂️😂.
Sharpy17(Quote)
And why not Sharpy? Confidence in the team! Good on you mate! … and can I have some that stuff you’ve been smoking mate. It’s clearly good sh…it 👍😂😂
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I thought nufc’d win today .. ho hum
Loss hurts and it’s a moment in time this season. Villa played well .. nufc didn’t. Big f’kin whoop
Nufc are 3rd. There’s a reason for that and it’s coz nufc are a **** good team, mostly playing well and with a good manger who let’s not forget is still still in his first full season in charge.
It was a bad day. Top 4 still up for grabs. Analyse, move on and maintain focus on winning games starting against spurs next week. Simples
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Go Forest! Go Forest! 😂😂😂😂
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – Jameson’s whiskey mate. It helps you see the world in a whole different light 😂😂.
It should have been Carlsberg really though 😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
just a proper old fashioned bad day at the office. All of them were dreadful.
georgio(Quote)
Sharpy17
We have 8 matches left thankfully 5 are at home because Brighton has to be rearranged.
regarding Brentford match we were just lucky not to be 3-0 down at halftime a bit like Villa.
Man Utd we’re there for the taking after Wembley and without Casimero, we were up for it!
Like Gilly Toon says you must be smoking something really good, where do you get it?😂
Joseph(Quote)
Joseph – you said a long time coming. Other than the first half against Brentford (which was rectified at half time) when prior to that did we look like being as bad as yesterday?.
We haven’t 🤷🏼♂️. Even when we went through our bad spell pre cup final. We were creating lots of chances just couldn’t finish them.
Yesterday was rare where the whole team just didn’t get going. I don’t see that happening again.
We have to put it right against Spurs.
Sharpy17(Quote)
If Forest go after Man Utd today I see them getting something from the game you know.
Man Utd defence is in tatters & Forest have some decent enough forwards to punish them.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy17
Also hope Forest go after Man Utd today.
We weren’t that impressive against Wolves after a run of uninspiring games.
The Man Utd game was probably our most complete performance, some of the other games even when the score line looked great against Villa and Brentford at home it flattered us a bit.
Fulham and West Ham at home were also poor games we also struggled against C.Palace home and away Bournemouth home and away Liverpool although we were beaten we actually played quite well considering.
That’s where I take the view we had a bad result coming
Joseph(Quote)
So, Harry Maguire clearly handles the ball in the penalty area. He’s already on a yellow, nothing given. VAR looks at it and nothing given. How is that not a penalty for Forest and a red card for Maguire? … because it’s Manchester United that’s how. 😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
And Sharpy, I love drop of Jameson’s mate! Cheers! 🥃🥃🥃
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – it was my birthday on the 7th, I got a bottle of IPA & Stout special edition, a bottle of black barrel & a bottle of the original. I think my family are trying to tell me something 😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
VAR is a disgrace & Howard Webb is making a right pigs ear of it since he’s came in!!.
Howe said he hadn’t heard from them after that nonsense at Brentford. A carbon copy of an incident we got nothing for the week before.
They are a joke & id happily see it scrapped and go back to how it was. All it’s done is slow things down while still getting decisions wrong.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Leeds looked awful last night.
Of course Carra was waxing lyrical about Trent last night but I’ve not seen a player get more time & space on the ball for a long time.
I’m not saying he’s not a good player – he’s an excellent passer of the ball. But you can’t give him that amount of time & space.
I think Palace have probably clawed themselves out of danger. I don’t think they were wrong shifting Viera but I couldn’t believe bringing Hodgson back. Fair play though, he’s got them scoring goals & winning games.
I think Wolves will probably pick up the odd few points needed to keep them safe too.
Bmth are 6 points up too – they should be able to get over the line and WH 4 points clear – I expect them to narrowly avoid relegation too now.
Usually by now there’s 1 team you think are defo down & out, but I think any of those bottom 5 clubs could make up the 3 – and there’s some really big clubs there!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
The old rule used to be 38 pts for safety, 1 ppg.
This year Soton 23 pts from 31 that is -8 from safety
leics – 6
Forest and Everton -4
Leeds are only -2 and have 4 games against fellow strugglers.
Forest only have one game against fellow strugglers, Everton two, three if you count Wolves away.
I honestly think we might even see Everton surviving by winning at home against Bournemouth in their final game having only drawn one before then so surviving on 31 points
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – My prediction is Saints, Forest & Leeds.
I think it will be closer to 35 points to stay up this season. I just can’t see Saints getting 12 points from their remaining games. I wouldn’t be disappointed to take Walker-Peters & Salisu from them.
Forest have a tough run in I think & just seem to have fallen like stone. They had pulling something like 11 points clear at one point & I thought that was them safe. But they are leaking goals & have nobody putting them away at the other end. I’m grateful they took Wood off our hands and would return the favour by taking Brennan Johnson off theirs.
Leeds just look down & out. They offered nothing last night & looked poor in every area of the pitch. The manager has just come in & he looks like he’s lost belief already. The owners were watching on looking totally fed up & the players looked to have lost the fight at the end – really poor. I’d enquire about Gnonto from them but that would be it.
I think the others survive by the skin of their teeth & it could even be 4 or 5 teams playing it out for those last 2 spots on the last day of the season – I think it will be that close.
I want us to have top 4 wrapped up before the last day of the season – I don’t want to be involved in that madness!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
On wrapping up nufc final position, wherever that may be, have they at least offered options for the re-scheduled Brighton game yet
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
It’s definitely very very tight at the bottom. So pleased we’re nowhere near it.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
The pundits bang on about how much NUFC have spent under our new ownership – around £250m
To put that into perspective – that’s Enzo Fernandez, Wesley Fofana & Marc Cucurella.
It takes me back to my point about paying a kings ransom for potential. The more I see of them the less impressed I am – and all 3 have just been subbed in a must win fixture with 20 mins still to play.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Chelsea out of the CL, oh dear! Not been too impressed with Mudryk so far either. £88 million!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Good result .. means the top four from the PL def go into CL .. if they’d won it then there was a risk fourth place would slip to EL. All to play for then starting with spurs this weekend
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Yes indeed GoWest! I thought the same thing as you! 🤞🤞
Gilly Toon(Quote)
GoWest – what would be the craic if Man Utd won the Europa?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
They would qualify for CL even if they finished outside the top four. However fourth in the EPL would still qualify for the CL as a maximum of five clubs from the EPL can qualify.
If Both Chelsea and Man U won their European competitions and neither finished in the top four then only three from the EPL would qualify by position.
PremAndUp(Quote)
thanks prem .. not sure I could’ve said it so succinctly.
Life was so much simpler when it was champs only into the European cup
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Get ya 👍🏻. I think Sevilla knock Man Utd out anyway but it’s good to know how things might pan out.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So Man united are out of the Europa. 😂😂. Oh dear.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Digging your prescience sharpy 👍👍
Gilly .. eth’s comments laughable .. “they had more desire, willingness and passion “
The same tripe he spouted when his shower got humped by a superior team at sjp
Let’s hope hes on the same line after Brighton this weekend
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
I want to be pleased Man Utd are out, but their focus is fully on the league now which isn’t great for us.
I’d have rather they got beat in the final & finished 5th 😂.
I predict Brighton beat them in the cup as well.
I think ETH put the league first and rests players hunting for a top 4 spot. The club have a cup already this season & 1 cup & top 4 is financially better than 2 trophies & 5th.
Plus, Brighton have nothing else to play for this season so will want the cup more imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
still no word on ERIC then??
icedog(Quote)
No, worrying mate.
kimtoon(Quote)
Arsenal drop points again, this time to bottom team Southampton 😳. Oh dear… City will be loving it.
Gilly Toon(Quote)