Aston Villa’s new Premier League campaign got off to a nightmare start as they were thrashed 5-1 by Newcastle United.
Aston Villa’s hammering at St James’ Park was compounded by the loss of Tyrone Mings, who was stretchered off after what looked to be a nasty knee injury.
Things didn’t look too bad for Aston Villa at half-time. A debut goal for Moussa Diaby meant that Unai Emery’s side only trailed 2-1 at the break and were still very much in the game. However, the visitor’s awful second half defending meant that Newcastle were able to seal the points in emphatic fashion.
Emery set his side out to play with a high defensive line, in order to condense the space Newcastle had to work in and increase Villa’s chances of winning the ball in the attacking third. However, this ploy was unpicked and exploited mercilessly by Newcastle’s attackers.
Aston Villa didn’t adjust to the threat in behind their rearguard being posed by the pace of Harvey Barnes and Alexander Isak. Emery’s team persisted with their approach and were carved open time and time again. Newcastle scored three times in the final half hour or so to secure a statement win.
Not only was this a concern in Tyneside on Saturday, but other Premier League sides will have seen how Villa were undone and will look to replicate Newcastle’s successful tactics if given the chance.
Emery must go back to the drawing board
Emery needs to strike a tactical balance that still allows them to be aggressive and on the front foot, without leaving their own goal so exposed. He recognises that the final 30 minutes against Newcastle exposed his team’s frailties.
Speaking after the match, the Spanish coach said, “I’m disappointed…To lose 5-1 is not good for us and we played not deserving to lose 5-1…The second half as well we started with control of the game, but their transition was very powerful with speedy players. We didn’t control the last 30 minutes like we needed to do. It’s three points and we’re going to think about our reaction over the next week. We’re going to analyse the match and prepare the next match at home,” as quoted by the club’s official website.
Villa’s inability to alter their tactics when Newcastle became a greater threat in the final half hour, with Harvey Barnes constantly getting in behind their defence, is what cost them this match. Emery needs to mastermind a far more secure defensive style of play when his side host Everton next Sunday.
