Jonty Banks

Sat 15 April 2023 14:40, UK Updated Sat 15 April 2023 14:59, UK

Aston Villa delivered possibly their most impressive performance of the Unai Emery era as they dismantled Newcastle 3-0 at Villa Park.

Jacob Ramsey gave Aston Villa the lead after just ten minutes with a low left-footed strike, with the Englishman and Ollie Watkins also hitting the post in the first half.

After having a goal ruled out via a marginal offside call, Watkins got his name on the scoresheet with a close-range strike, before netting his 11th goal from his last 12 Premier League outings in the closing stages of the encounter.

The win temporarily takes Aston Villa to within three points off Tottenham in fifth place in the Premier League.

Here, Villa News rate the players out of ten for their performances at Villa Park.

Emi Martinez – 7

Was brought into action after some sloppy play by Moreno, making a strong save from in-form striker Aleksander Isak. Rushed off his line to deny Joelinton with a sliding tackle, after the Newcastle man was played clean through beyond the Villa back-four and commanded his penalty area with his usual confidence throughout the game. Made two saves, two high claims and completed 30 passes, but wasn’t tested too much by Newcastle’s blunt attack. [Sofascore]

Ashley Young – 6

After being torn apart at times by Harvey Barnes in the win at Leicester City recently, many fans would have been worried about a similar set of circumstances taking place when Anthony Gordon was named in the Newcastle side. To Young’s credit though, he stuck to his task dutifully and didn’t allow Gordon the time or the space to cause many problems in the first-half. Didn’t offer anywhere near the attacking output of Moreno, losing possession 15 times and failing to find a teammate with either of his two crosses.

Tyrone Mings – 8

Despite not seeing as much of the ball as has become Mings’ custom in recent weeks, the Englishman was strong in the tackle and his usual domineering self. With Gareth Southgate watching on from the stands of Villa Park, he wouldn’t have done his England chances any harm whatsoever. Launched himself at a Miguel Almiron shot to deny a near-certain goal in the second half and managed to make six clearances, three blocks and two tackles during his dominant display.

Ezri Konsa – 7

Could have got a touch tighter to Jacob Murphy when he was closing down on the Villa goal and lashed a shot just inches wide of Martinez’s post, but was a steady presence as ever alongside Mings. Failed to match the numbers of Mings, not making a single tackle, interception or blocked shot, but was still strong nonetheless.

Alex Moreno – 8

Delivered his usual attacking threat down the left-flank, giving Kieran Trippier serious problems on the overlap beyond Ramsey. The Spaniard should have got an assist to his name when cutting back a ball from the dead ball line to Ramsey, who subsequently hit the crossbar, but was rewarded for his efforts when a similar pass in the second half was finished off by Watkins. Was occasionally found wanting in defence after being caught high up the pitch in transition, but overall had 71 touches of the ball, delivered five crosses and completed two out of his three dribbles.

John McGinn – 5

Struggled to involve himself in Villa’s attacking play as much as Ramsey on the right flank, but provided strong cover for Young, winning nine out of his 14 ground duels. His quiet first-half was summed up by the fact the Scot only managed to play eight passes, with only four reaching their target. McGinn left his teammates irate when he spurned a four-on-three opportunity by curling a 20-yard effort over the bar instead of playing in either Buendia or Watkins, who were both free, and this summed his afternoon up. Was by no means poor, but didn’t quite live up to some of his superb Villa teammates.

Leander Dendoncker – 6

Was offered his first start since returning from injury and slotted into a midfield two beside Luiz relatively comfortably. The Belgian didn’t take many risks on the ball, as highlighted by his 13/13 passes completed in the first-half, but kept things ticking over nicely. Considering his lack of minutes this season, he looked cool, calm and composed and by no means out of his depth against Villa’s Champions League-chasing opponents. His extra physicality was an added bonus, winning six out of his eight ground duels.

Douglas Luiz – 7

Controlled proceedings in the middle of the park during Villa’s rapid start, nipping in with crucial interventions and displaying his vast passing range to set Watkins away a couple of times. The work rate of Luiz, as well as the whole midfield, was brilliant throughout the game, with the Brazilian winning his personal duel against direct competitor for the Brazil national team, Bruno Guimaraes. The former Manchester City man managed to make three interceptions and two tackles during his strong showing.

Jacob Ramsey – 9

Gave Villa the lead after 11 minutes after popping up late in the box and finishing off Watkins’ brilliant layback header with a left-footed strike, but really should have doubled his account five minutes later when hitting a gilt-edged chance into the crossbar from just six yards out. Had a first-half to remember, and managed to deliver four key passes in the final third. Was subbed off in the 83rd minute and was rightfully given a standing ovation by the Villa Park faithful for his quite superb performance.

Emi Buendia – 8

The playmaker was fielded alongside Watkins in attack and fed the Englishman with a number of piercing through balls. The diminutive Argentine lept highest to meet Young’s cross and really should have found the target considering the space he was offered in the Newcastle box. As has become custom with Buendia this season, the attacker was dogged in the tackle and happy to press the Newcastle defence all afternoon long. Made a single key pass, was fouled three times and amassed a total expected goals of 0.28.

Ollie Watkins – 10

Almost set Aston Villa on their way in stunning style as he nonchalantly shrugged off Sven Botman before poking his shot into the post after just 28 seconds of the clash. Made up for this marginal miss with a brilliant knockback header for Ramsey to smash home and give Villa the lead. Ran Newcastle’s back-four ragged all afternoon long with some extremely clever movement and run’s in behind. Had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside call, but just two minutes later got his name on the scoresheet as he spun on the ball and hit a low shot through the legs of Dan Burn and into the Magpies’ net. Netted a late second with a somewhat scruffy finish and was quite simply an unstoppable force in attack. Two goals, an assist, striking the post once and delivering two key passes highlights the perfect performance of Watkins.

Substitutes

Calum Chambers (on for Ramsey, 83′) – N/A

Jhon Duran (on for Watkins, 90′) – N/A

In other Aston Villa news, we can exclusively reveal that Manchester United are set to sign this highly-rated Villa player.