Manzambi heads Aston Villa to victory over Newcastle

Aston Villa beat Newcastle in the Premier League thanks to Johan Manzambi, who scored the winning goal. The Switzerland attacking midfielder made the difference with a header in the 36th minute, finishing a move created by João Gomes’s cross. The victory extends Aston Villa’s progress and brings a difficult week to a close for Newcastle.

Manzambi, 21, had been at the centre of a contested summer transfer. The Guardian reported that Aston Villa moved ahead of Newcastle to sign him while a switch from Freiburg to Newcastle appeared close to completion. The newspaper put Villa’s fee at more than £50m, a club record. Against Newcastle, Manzambi scored against the side that had nearly signed him.

In the Premier League, Newcastle are 11th with 8 points and Aston Villa are 12th with 8 points, a gap of 0 points. At home, Newcastle have 1 win, 2 draws and 1 loss in 4 matches, scoring 6 goals and conceding 6; away, they have 1 win, 0 draws and 2 losses in 3 matches, scoring 4 and conceding 8. At home, Aston Villa have 0 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses in 3 matches, scoring 3 goals and conceding 5; away, they have 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss in 4 matches, scoring 4 and conceding 6.

Newcastle had looked to impose a more solid shape early on. Nicolas Jackson nevertheless found space on the counter, but his shot went straight into Lukas Hornicek’s arms. The match then became more physical: Jarred Gillett showed two yellow cards in quick succession, first after Joelinton’s two-footed challenge on Manzambi, then for a similar tackle by Sven Botman on Jackson.

Manzambi got the better of Joelinton by putting Villa ahead. Newcastle then narrowly avoided conceding again: Emiliano Buendía’s effort struck the inside of a post and then Hornicek’s back before Lewis Hall cleared it. The home crowd also had to contend with repeated runs by a Villa forward into the space behind a high defensive line.

Aston Villa had won only once in the league before this match. Newcastle, meanwhile, were looking to respond after losing 4-1 to Coventry last Monday. Matthias Jaissle and Unai Emery exchanged words after an altercation involving Alysson and Hornicek. Emery replaced Alysson, who had already been booked, with John McGinn at half-time. Jaissle later brought on Will Osula and Bazoumana Touré, then sent Dan Burn up front in the closing minutes.

Villa came close to a second through Ross Barkley, whose shot was turned around a post by Hornicek. Newcastle could not find an equaliser. The win was Unai Emery’s 100th in the Premier League.