Newcastle desperately need a win more than ever as they try and steer away from the relegation zone when they face Aston Villa at St James’ Park tonight.
Villa will move above Liverpool into 8th if they manage a win against the struggling Magpies.
Team News:
One change for the Newcastle side which drew 0 – 0 to West Brom last weekend, Dwight Gayle replaces Jeff Hendrick.
Likewise, Villa make one change to the side which drew with Wolves last weekend, Jacob Ramsey replaces Morgan Sanson in the middle, Jack Grealish is still ruled out with injury.
Last Time Out:
Aston Villa comfortably beat the Magpies 2 – 0 when they last met in January at Villa Park, can the Villians show the dominance again tonight like they did in the reverse fixture?
Here come the teams!
The teams are out of the tunnel at St James’ Park, can Newcastle pick up some form during a crucial time for the club?
KICK-OFF
1′ A cold Friday night under the floodlights in Newcastle is underway, who will come out victorious between these two giants?
4′ First shot on target of the game, Ryan Fraser’s effort outside of the box is straight at Villa keeper Martinez, some early positivity for Newcastle going forward.
Embed from Getty Images9′ The ball is being played in both halves at this current stage, Aston Villa have looked dangerous with some of the balls they’ve put into the Newcastle penalty area but still no real chance for the visitors.
13′ Brilliant Block from Konsa as he denies Newcastle’s record signing Joelinton from scoring after the Brazilian got in a good position for the Magpies effort.
17′ Aston Villa down to 10 men for the time being as Traore clashes with the advertising boards whilst chasing the ball out of play, Newcastle doing their best to take advantage with the extra man, Jonjo Shelvey’s effort outside of the box is blocked by Tyrone Mings.
20′ Substitution:
Traore can’t continue, El Ghazi replaces the injured forward.
22′ El Ghazi makes an instant impact as Aston Villa have their first attempt on goal of the night, Martin Dubravka deals with the effort comfortably.
27′ Brilliant movement from Trezeguet as he pulls away from the Newcastle defenders to test Dubravaka at his near post, Villa now growing in confidence.
Embed from Getty Images29′ Newcastle are loading the crosses in the Villa box, Joelinton nearly connects with Paul Dummett’s cross but the ball just brushes above his head and Villa manage to survive.
34′ Both teams are putting in some dangerous balls which are being defended very well, still no sign of any real clear cut chances, who will step up and provide some quality?
41′ A Newcastle attack which looked promising is broken down as John McGinn shields the ball out of play for the goal kick, the home side have to do better in the final third if they are to get anything from this game.
45′ An additional minute is added on for the end of the first half.
Half Time
Referee blows his whistle for the end of the first half, a lack of chances and quality for both teams at the moment, will something change during the interval?
KICK-OFF
46′ The ball is rolling for the second half, will we see a better half of action than the first?
50‘ Aston Villa are really missing their talisman Jack Grealish. They’ve barely created anything tonight, Ollie Watkins isolated up top with no support.
Embed from Getty Images52′ Villa hit on the counter with Ollie Watkins who is bought down by Krafth who receives the first booking of the night, Targett whips in the set piece and Konsa’s header is just wide of goal, that was a very good opportunity for Villa to take the lead.
57‘ A dangerous counter attack from Aston Villa is broken down as Ollie Watkin’s touch from receiving the ball is too heavy and Newcastle recover possession.
58′ Substitution:
Villa make their second change of the night
61′ Newcastle’s crosses are being dealt comfortably by Villa, they’re showing no sign of scoring from a cross or set piece as Villa are reading everything.
63′ Scary moment for Villa as Targett looks to head away the cross and the defender nearly heads into his own net but Martinez reacts well and makes the save, a sigh of relief.
67′ Substitution:
Villa turn to Barkley for some creativity. Meanwhile Lascelles is booked for a handball.
70′ Fraser’s curling effort from the left is blocked and out for the corner, Lascelles gets a head to it at the back post but it goes wide, are we going to get a goal tonight?
71′ Great ball from Joe Willock who finds Joelinton, the Brazilian decides to cut it back to find a Newcastle player in the box but he fails to do so and the chance is gone, it’s not falling for him tonight…
74′ John McGinn is the latest player to pick up a yellow card, into the final fifteen minutes at St James’ Park, can anyone find a winner?
78′ Substitution:
Newcastle make their first substitution of the night as they search for a potential winning goal.
81′ What a chance! Jacob Murphy the substitute makes an instant impact after coming on, he receives the ball from Dummett and see’s his effort hits the bar! The closest we’ve come all night for a goal.
82′ Substitution:
Defensive reinforcements for the home side.
85′ GOAL – Newcastle 0 – 1 Aston Villa (Ciaran Clark O.G) The deadlock is finally broken!
86′ Aston Villa who have struggled to create anything tonight make one of their chances count! Ollie Watkins latches onto Matt Targett’s cross which takes a deflection of Ciaran Clark and ends up in the Newcastle net, heartbreak for the home side…
88′ Substitution:
Last roll of the dice for Newcastle…
89′ Villa nearly wrap up the game as Douglas Luiz has a crack from the halfway line as he spots Dubravka out of his goal, the Slovakian tips it over for a corner.
90′ Four added minutes, can Newcastle find an equaliser?
90+1′ Villa flowing in full confidence now as El Ghazi nearly makes it 2 – 0 but his effort is pushed out by Dubravka, Newcastle in deep, DEEP trouble as it stands…
90+2′ What a save by Dubravka, Aston Villa hit Newcastle on the counter and Ollie Watkins is put through on goal but Dubravka makes a brilliant save to deny the forward.
90+3′ GOAL – Newcastle 1 – 1 Aston Villa (Jamaal Lascelles) Right at the death!
90+4′ Newcastle have rescued a point! Jamaal Lascelles gets onto the end of Jacob Murphy’s cross to head it into the back of the net! Aston Villa will feel gutted as they were seconds away from all three points.
Full Time
What a dramatic ending to the game! Aston Villa thought they had taken all three points after Ciaran Clark’s own goal in the 85th minute, but in the dying seconds of stoppage time Newcastle skipper Jamaal Lascelles heads in to give Newcastle a crucial point to help them steer away from the relegation zone.
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