Marco Bizot head loss, Lucas Digne foolish – Aston Villa player ratings vs Newcastle United
Marco Bizot left Aston Villa in a tough spot after being sent off against Newcastle United in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Unai Emery’s team took an early lead against the Magpies at Villa Park on 14 February through Tammy Abraham, but the striker would’ve surely been flagged offside had VAR been in operation.
The Villans looked in control of the game, but Bizot’s sending off turned the tide just before the break.
Sandro Tonali equalised for the visitors at around the hour mark to get Eddie Howe’s side back into the game, and the Italy international subsequently scored a second in the 76th minute before Nick Woltemade got a third for the Tyneside club as the game ended in a 3-1 loss to the hosts.
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Unai Emery to have a word with Marco Bizot after Aston Villa loss vs Newcastle United
Emery must surely be reeling in the dressing room after Bizot brought down Jacob Murphy way outside the box to stop Newcastle’s counter.
The Dutch goalkeeper can have no complaints about being sent off in a game where he didn’t really have much to do.
While the Tyneside club had a great opportunity on the break, the 34-year-old shot-stopper should’ve just let the game go on and see how the move would develop instead of charging out of his area and committing an obvious foul.
Things went downhill for the Lions after going down to 10 men, and Bizot’s head loss undoubtedly cost the team on the day, and his Sofascore graphic above isn’t a pretty read.
Lucas Digne careless at Villa Park
Lucas Digne may have been lucky to be on the pitch during the first half after a strong challenge on Murphy.
While the Frenchman created some decent attacking opportunities in the opening 45 minutes, his defending was underwhelming.
The 32-year-old was undoubtedly foolish as he handled the ball for the free-kick just outside the box that set up Newcastle’s equaliser, and his Sofascore graphic below highlights his poor display.
Villa were lucky that Chris Kavanagh made some questionable decisions during the game, with Digne clearly inside the penalty area when he was pulled up for the handball.
Aston Villa player ratings vs Newcastle United
Marco Bizot – 2
Lamare Bogarde – 4
Victor Lindelof – 6
Pau Torres – 5
Lucas Digne – 3
Amadou Onana – 7
Douglas Luiz -7
Ross Barkley – 4
Leon Bailey – 6
Morgan Rogers – 7
Tammy Abraham – 8
Substitutes:
Emi Martinez – 5
Emi Buendia – 5
Ollie Watkins – 5
Ian Maatsen – 5
Jadon Sancho – 5
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