Ian Maatsen`s performance was key in Aston Villa`s dominant win against Newcastle, reigniting their Champions League ambitions.
After a setback in the Champions League, Aston Villa responded emphatically, boosting their hopes for next season`s competition with a crucial victory over a top-five rival.
Just as Newcastle seemed to be holding off Unai Emery’s energetic Villa side, Ian Maatsen seized his moment.
Despite being partly responsible for Fabian Schar`s equalizer, which cancelled out Ollie Watkins` early goal, Maatsen scored a pivotal goal just after the hour mark, capping off a superb team move.
Aston Villa, still recovering from a narrow Champions League quarter-final defeat against Paris Saint-Germain, showed resilience and determination.
Playing at home, they dominated Newcastle and ensured their efforts translated into a decisive win.
Substitutions by Unai Emery, bringing on Jacob Ramsey and Amadou Onana, were instrumental in securing a scoreline that truly reflected Villa’s dominance.
Ramsey played a key role in forcing an own goal from Dan Burn, and Onana then powerfully struck the fourth goal.
This match was a high-stakes encounter between two Premier League rivals, both vying for top positions.
The first half was intensely competitive, with both teams exchanging attacks.
However, Aston Villa consistently posed a greater threat, also hitting the woodwork three times during the game.
Ollie Watkins opened the scoring early, capitalizing on a poor clearance from Sandro Tonali which fell to Youri Tielemans. Watkins cut inside and his shot deflected off Fabian Schar, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
Watkins almost extended the lead moments later, hitting the crossbar.
Amidst intense play, a controversial moment occurred when Fabian Schar`s foul on Watkins was deemed a yellow card offense by referee Jarred Gillett, a decision supported by VAR.
Villa`s frustration grew when a foul was awarded against Boubacar Kamara, leading to Newcastle`s equalizer. Harvey Barnes` cross found Ian Maatsen marking Schar, who headed in the leveler past Emi Martinez.
Maatsen nearly made amends immediately, but Marco Asensio missed a clear chance from his cross. Watkins also hit the woodwork again, this time a header.
Martinez saved a long-range shot from Tonali, while Pope denied Morgan Rogers and a Tielemans corner. Watkins missed a shot wide and appealed for a penalty against Schar, which was denied.
The game continued to be captivating. Pope saved from John McGinn after a Rogers pass, and Schar blocked a Rogers shot. Bruno Guimaraes avoided a yellow card for a foul on McGinn.
McGinn`s shot was then saved by Pope after a Kamara pass. Alexander Isak`s quiet game saw his first shot comfortably saved by Martinez.
The decisive moment arrived with a brilliant team goal. Starting from Martinez, the ball moved through Rogers, Asensio, and Watkins, who set up Maatsen. Maatsen powerfully shot past Pope, scoring his first Premier League goal.
Despite Newcastle making substitutions, it was Emery`s changes that proved decisive. Ramsey reached the byline and his cross deflected off Burn into the net, sealing Aston Villa`s victory.
Marcus Bellamy