Just a fourth win of the season – and their third in succession – is the merited reward for Newcastle FC endeavour throughout a hard-running 90 minutes, consigning directionless Villa to a deserved defeat.
Trippier’s match-winning strike in their last five was the Magpies’ third free-kick goal.
And it was fitting that a member of the hosts’ committed back four took the glory as Howe’s quiet revolution begins to gather pace.
Starting Lineup:
NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-3-3): Martin Dubravka;
Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Fabian Schar, Javier Manquillo;
Joe Willock, Jonjo Shelvey, Joelinton;
Ryan Fraser, Chris Wood, Allan Saint-Maximin.
SUBS: Karl Darlow, Lucas De Bolle, Dwight Gayle, Miguel Almiron,
Emil Krafth, Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Paul Dummett, Jacob Murphy.
ASTON VILLA (4-3-3): Emiliano Martinez;
Matty Cash, Calum Chambers, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne;
Douglas Luiz, John McGinn, Jacob Ramsey;
Emiliano Buendia, Ollie Watkins, Philippe Coutinho.
SUBS: Robin Olsen, Carney Chukwuemeka, Morgan Sanson, Tim Iroegbunam,
Kortney Hause, Danny Ings, Leon Bailey, Ashley Young, Benjamin Chrisene.
Goals:
Newcastle leads. Firing through the middle of Villa’s disintegrating defensive wall, Trippier powers his 18-yard free-kick past Martinez via a deflection off Buendia. So Newcastle didn’t need the penalty after all – they go 1-0 up.
Newcastle’s Eddie Howe told Sky Sports:
“It wasn’t the prettiest – and we’re probably the first to admit that – but I think it was beautiful at the same time, from our perspective because the beauty was in our defending and our detail.
“I thought the players gave everything to a challenging game – I don’t think either side played the perfect match.
“We feel we have got a good balance; the shape of the team is good, and we think the organisation is there.
“We had to manage the lead and do the horrible things well, and.
“Even in the last few minutes, the lads were putting their bodies on the line, stopping crosses and blocking shots – everything you need when you are in a relegation battle.
“In weeks gone by, we might have lost that game or not won it and.
“Now I think we are showing newfound resilience and confidence, so that is great to see.”
So, where else do Newcastle FC and Aston Villa go from here?
Villa, meanwhile, fails to sneak back inside the top half of the Premier League table after a dismal display, and Newcastle is now just six points behind them in the standings.
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