Aston Villa player ratings as Unai Emery banishes a long winless run away at Newcastle United

Villa's 2-0 win moved them to within four points at the top of the Premier League

After 17 fruitless attempts, Newcastle United have been defeated at St James’ Park.

Aston Villa won 2-0 to strengthen their hold on the fight for Champions League football, moving four points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal for good measure. Arsenal play at home in the day’s late kick-off.

Villa won the game courtesy of a near-complete performance in the first half and some vital saves as they dealt with some pressure after the break. They were wasteful on the counter-attack but the main culprit got himself on the scoresheet in the dying moments to make sure of the win.

We saw another example of a very clear yellow card tackle on a Villa player going unpunished, this time Joelinton on Youri Tielemans as the midfield players on both sides played out an enjoyable scrap in the middle of the pitch.

Here are the ratings:

Emiliano Martínez - 8

Fabulous save with his feet to deny Sandro Tonali after 35 seconds and solid handling throughout the first half before he had to claw a Lewis Miley header out of the top corner just before the break with an even better stop. Made some key catches in the second period.

Matty Cash - 7

Dynamic on the Villa right and involved heavily in the goal that made it 1-0 to Villa. Defensively effective.

Ezri Konsa - 8

High-quality passing out of the back. Good defensive header in between Yoane Wissa and Joelinton to clear out Miley’s cross in the last ten minutes of the first half, and another to deny Nick Woltemade in the last quarter of an hour. Nice and calm when sweeping up in behind.

Pau Torres - 7

Some smart defending in and around the Villa box but passing over distance wasn’t quite at its best. Substituted with 15 minutes left.

Ian Maatsen - 7

Good reading of the play and lots of early energy at left-back. Always willing to get a foot in before looking forward. Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga posed different challenges and he handled them both pretty well.

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Amadou Onana - 8

Useful strength and composure on the ball in pressurised early minutes, along with a vital tackle in his own box. Always willing to stick to Joelinton and was quickly on top of the battle. Also effective on the ball, including a pivotal role in the opening goal and some excellent mid-range passing out of midfield.

Full of long-legged tackles in the middle of the park, which put him in harm’s way on a regular basis. Outstanding performance in midfield. Substituted at 2-0 with a minute to go.

Youri Tielemans - 7

Caught in possession in the tenth minute, leading to a Newcastle corner, but soon found his feet and put in an all-action display. Went off injured with 15 minutes left.

Jadon Sancho - 7

Linked nicely with Cash and Morgan Rogers to win an early corner. Fed Ollie Watkins with a neat through ball, albeit with a touch from a defender. Started well but didn’t get much action once Rogers started to run the Villa attack with Emi Buendía in stunning form.

He’s emerging as a willing worker out of possession, which explains Emery’s growing trust. Substituted on the hour.

Emi Buendía - 8

Unbelievable footwork to keep possession followed immediately by Villa’s first shot on target in the fifth minute, after which he was able to get on the ball in pockets, pull out some tremendous footwork and get Villa playing with some intent.

His first-half performance in and out of possession, all over the pitch, was astounding – his goal to put Villa in front was sensational. More functional in the second half with Villa having to defend and went off with quarter of an hour to go.

Morgan Rogers - 7

Incisive and inventive and always dangerous. Contributed some excellent hold-up play and was involved in almost everything Villa did in the Newcastle half. Claimed an assist for the opening goal and made Nick Pope save a late free kick. Played the clipped pass out wide to set up the cross for the clinching goal.

Ollie Watkins - 6

Forced a good save from Pope after 11 minutes; might have done better but the angle was slightly against him and he was under pressure. Passing in the final third was a threat, movement was positive and he put in a shift without the ball, but just not decisive enough.

Produced a wonderful first touch late in the first half but couldn’t get away from Kieran Trippier. Fluffed an easy pass to Sancho in first-half stoppage time that might well have led to a goal late in the first half – one of many instances of Watkins doing the first bit well and the last bit badly before smacking one towards goal late on, winning the corner that gradually led to his excellent headed goal for 2-0.

Substitutes

Leon Bailey (for Sancho, 59) - Returned to the team after Roma loan and not quite at the mental pace of the game. Always eager to get on the front foot and went in behind from a quick free kick but couldn’t get his shot away. Looked like a player with a point to prove but who wasn’t quite at 100%. 6

Lucas Digne (for Buendía, 74) - Booked for cleaning out Elanga on the break. Fantastic cross to Watkins for the second goal. 6

Tyrone Mings (for Torres, 74) - Big header to clear in the last ten minutes, albeit followed by an offside flag. 6

Lamare Bogarde (for Tielemans, 74) - On in midfield for the injured Tielemans. Not involved much in possession but made an important block tackle in the Newcastle half. 5

Victor Lindelöf (for Onana, 89) - Late substitute at 2-0. N/A