By support

20th Feb, 2017 | 9:57pm

Newcastle player ratings v Aston Villa: Attacker is 5/10

By Dominic Toner

Football Insider rates the Newcastle players after their 2-0 victory against Aston Villa in the Championship.

Karl Darlow 6 – He was quiet for the majority, but stayed alert and made a couple of decent saves to keep the clean sheet.

DeAndre Yedlin 7 – The full-back was a great attacking outlet for Newcastle and provided great energy on the right flank.

Jamaal Lascelles 6 – Picked up a yellow card in the first-half for a needless lunge on Scott Hogan, but had a hand in the second goal for Newcastle. His header from a corner struck Henri Lansbury, who scored an own goal.

Ciaran Clark 6 – Solid performance and managed to stand up to Villa’s attacking options. Has built a strong partnership alongside Lascelles.

Paul Dummett 6 – Assured performance at left-back and even tried to get forward.

Matt Ritchie 7 – He was the creative spark all game for the hosts and put several crosses into the box, but was just missing the final ball on the night.

Jonjo Shelvey 7 – Comfortable in possession all evening and was involved in a tough battle with the Villa midfielders.

Jack Colback 6 – Was solid in the middle and saw his effort stopped by goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

Yoan Gouffran 6 – Scored the opening goal in a scrappy fashion. He reacted quickest inside the penalty area from a corner, smashing the ball into the roof of the net.

Mohamed Diame 5 – Handled well with by Mile Jedinak in the centre in the openeing period and offered very little attacking threat. Showed lots of energy and tried to be involved, but was certainly lacking quality.

Dwight Gayle 6 – He was forced off after just 33 minutes on his return to the side from injury, was struggling to get into the match.

Aleksandar Mitrovic (for Gayle 33mins) 6

Christian Atsu (for Gouffran 89mins) 6

In other Newcastle team news, Colback has identified the key to success this season.

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