Eddie Howe reflects – After schooling Unai Emery once again at St James’ Park

The Mag

·27 dicembre 2024

Eddie Howe reflects – After schooling Unai Emery once again at St James’ Park

Eddie Howe watched on as his Newcastle United team tore Aston Villa apart inside 90 seconds.

The excellent Newcastle United midfield trio of Tonali, Bruno and Joelinton combining to set Anthony Gordon up, the former Everton winger hitting a stunning curling effort around the Villa keeper, Martine had zero chance of saving it.

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Eddie Howe once again schooling Unai Emery at St James’ Park.

The only mystery was just how the Villa boss and his players didn’t concede more than the five goals they leaked on their last visit to Tyneside, as Newcastle opened them up time and time again.

Eddie Howe reflects on the dominant win and performance over Aston Villa:

“It was a brilliant goal from Anthony Gordon.

“He is capable of that, great to see that go in, he has been working hard on his finishing and wants more goals.

“It was 11 v 10 [after 32 minutes] but the game was never done at 1-0 and we showed good characteristics, we were adapting with the ball. managed the situation very well.

“I’m delighted with the win.

“We were never comfortable until the second goal and I have to complement the players and how well they are playing, it is a good set of results and performances.

“We looked like we could score at any moment.

“The attacking players have their confidence back which is great to see and we look in a great place.

“If we can strengthen in January [transfer window] that would be our preference, if we can’t, we have to get the best out of the squad.”

Eddie Howe on Kieran Trippier who made his first Premier League start since the start of October, Tino Livramento missing through illness:

“It was a very strong performance from Kieran Trippier.

“He has been waiting patiently.

“I think the little cameos he’s had in recent weeks have certainly helped him to get his feeling and rhythm back.

“He is a vastly experienced player and I had no doubt at all today that he would do well.

“The question mark was how long would he last, due to a lack of game time?

“But I thought he did very well when he was on the pitch, so let’s see how he reacts to the game.

“In terms of Tino, it was an illness issue, but fingers crossed he will be okay for Man United.”

Eddie Howe on Matt Targett who has had a terrible time with injuries and illness, he got his first Premier League minutes in over 14 months when filling in at right-back after Trippier went off:

“It was pleasing to see Matt back out on the field, when you see behind the scenes and how he’s conducted himself.

“He has had injury troubles but he has come back and trained really, really well.

“He’s really a left-back, but we knew today that with Tino’s illness, we would need him potentially, if Kieran couldn’t make it all the way through the game.

“So our plan pre-game was to put him on in that position [at right-back] and he didn’t let us down.

“I thought he was excellent.

“He has got the experience to play on that side despite being very left-footed.”

Newcastle 3 Aston Villa 0 – Thursday 26 December 3pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Gordon 2, Isak 59, Joelinton 90+1

Villa:

Duran red card 32

(In brackets the half-time stats)

Possession was Newcastle 63% (62%) Villa 37% (38%)

Total shots were Newcastle 22 (9) Villa 4 (3)