Toby Wilding

Sat 19 April 2025 19:46, UK

Newcastle United saw their winning run come to an end after being thrashed by Aston Villa at Villa Park.

The Magpies went into the game looking for a seventh straight win in all competitions, to continue the run that has won them the League Cup and lifted them to third in the Premier League table.

However, they were behind after less than a minute on Saturday (19 April), when Ollie Watkins’ strike deflected off Fabian Schar and past Nick Pope.

Schar would make up for that by heading Newcastle level from a Harvey Barnes cross after 18 minutes, which was enough to ensure both sides went in all square at half time after Schar avoided conceding a penalty for a challenge on Watkins in the final minutes.

The game though then would then turn on three Villa goals in little more than ten minutes, with Ian Maatsen and Amadou Onana striking either side of a Dan Burn own goal to make it 4-1 to the hosts.

That was enough to secure all three points for the hosts, and hand the Magpies a setback in their quest for Champions League football.

Here is how Football Insider rated the performances of the Newcastle United squad in that clash with Aston Villa.

Jason Tindall-led Magpies suffer major set back

Nick Pope – 7

Pope looks set to face competition for his Newcastle spot next season, and did make some decent saves here, while being left largely helpless for the goals conceded.

Kieran Trippier (off for Krafth, ’76) – 5

Has had an impressive run in the side but this was perhaps a game too far for the veteran full-back who struggled for an impact.

Fabian Schar (off for Targett, ’82) – 4

May have been surprised to see his header get past Martinez to equalise, and struggled to deal with the excellent Watkins throughout.

Schar and Burn chaos as Newcastle defence collapses

Dan Burn – 3

Like the rest of the Newcastle defence struggled to cope with the flurry of Aston Villa attacks in the second half, and was left flat footed when he put through his own net.

Tino Livramento – 6

Didn’t look as exposed as others and looked bright getting forward on at least a few occasions.

Bruno Guimaraes – 4

Picked up a booking during the second half and seemed to become more frustrated with nothing going his way.

Bruno way off his best in midfield

Sandro Tonali – 5

One or two decent flashes but nowhere near what we’ve come to expect from him in the centre of the park.

Joelinton – 5

Lik pretty much everyone in this side was some way off the standards set in recent weeks.

Jacob Murphy (off for Gordon, ’65) – 4

Murphy scored a stunning opening goal against Crystal Palace, but came nowhere close to repeating that here, and lost the run of Maatsen for Villa’s crucial second goal.

Jacob Murphy form dips

Alexander Isak (off for Wilson, 76) – 5

Isak looks set to stay at Newcastle despite interest from Liverpool, but this was an off-day for the cetre-forward, who struggled to even really get many half-chances at the opposition goal.

Harvey Barnes (off for Willock, ’76) – 7 – Player of the Match

Barnes was again given the nod ahead of Anthony Gordon on the left-wing and looked to have justified that with an excellent assist for the equaliser. Arguably the liveliest in attack but still faded considerably.

Substitutes

Anthony Gordon (on for Murphy, ’65) – 5

Didn’t have much chance to change the game between his introduction and Villa scoring their third and fourth goals, but did put some running in.

Emil Krafth (on for Trippier, ’76) – 4

Another late outing from the bench but in less cheerful circumstances.

Joe Willock (on for Barnes, ’76) – 4

Made little impact with the game already lost when he came on.

Callum Wilson (on for Isak, ’76) – 4

Unable to get a look at goal with the game fizzling out.

Matt Targett (on for Schar, ’82) – 5

Not given a warm reception at his old club, didn’t have much to do while he was onthe pitch.