Steve Bruce had the lads set up in a 5-3-2 with Isaach Hayden as the third center-back and a three-man midfield of Jeff Hendrick, Miguel Almiron, and Jonjo Shelvey. Callum Wilson and Andy Carroll were again upfront.
Aston Villa dominated possession in the opening ten minutes but both of their shots didn’t threaten Karl Darlow. Newcastle had one tame effort from Miguel Almiron easily saved by Emiliano Martínez. The lads were making a considerable effort to press Aston Vill high up the pitch.
But as we’ve seen far too often, sloppy defending has gifted our opponents a soft goal. Matt Targett put in a dangerous cross from the left that Fabian Schar got a foot on but just propelled it into the air. It was on a platter for Ollie Watkins to head past a charging Karl Darlow and into the net in the 13th minute.
Newcastle had a decent reaction after the goal. In the 23rd minute, Jamaal Lascelles rose to get a powerful header onto Jonjo Shelvey’s corner. However, Tyrone Mings was there to make the block. Newcastle followed that up with a couple of Andy Carroll headers from excellent crosses put in by Javier Manquillo. Carroll just couldn’t get good contact on either effort.
Aston Villa added a second goal just before halftime. Karl Darlow punched away a Villa corner and Villa recycled possession. Jack Grealish played a ball to Bertrand Traore from the right. The former Chelsea man provided a glorious finish off the underside of the crossbar.
It’s been another very disappointing performance so far for Newcastle. Other than a brief spell with a few headers, the lads haven’t threatened Villa enough. That coupled with some poor defending has Newcastle heading toward another defeat.
238 comments so far
TomaKaThor
Jan 23, 2021 at 8:59 PM
Comment #1Sack Bruce now, get a short term manager in.. Takeover in summer.. That’s the only thing keeping me going as a fan of this crap.. The slim chance
Mund
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:00 PM
Comment #2Lee
That’s not a guarantee tho mate but what is a guarantee is it will demoralise the players even more and Bruce could still be at the helm.
I just don’t like to see my team get spanked and will never wish for a defeat in the hope it will get the manager sacked.
Always support the 11 lads who wear the shirt mate whatever era whatever time.
Ninjacent
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:02 PM
Comment #3Let’s see if the gaffer changes things because the middle of the park has produced zilch
Ron Knee
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:02 PM
Comment #4Lee Ryder@lee_ryder
“No fight, no urgency, half-hearted tracking back and once again no service for Callum Wilson. #nufc”
But don’t criticise Bruce!
IrishRob
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:02 PM
Comment #5Shelvey passing accuracy of 50% that’s absolutely woeful. The worst I’ve ever seen of any play ever.
Tackle from behind
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:02 PM
Comment #6Bruce at half time.
Andy, you’re trying too hard, here have one of me sausage rolls.
lochinvar
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:03 PM
Comment #7Down to 16th
Third worst goal difference in league
Can’t defend
Can’t score
Can’t manage
Can’t stand this
Australian Pie
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:03 PM
Comment #8Darlow
Manq Lascelles Schar Lewis
Hayden Hendrick
Murphy Miggy ASM
Wilson
This would be much more effective
Our Toon
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:03 PM
Comment #9Darlow 2 huge errors in last 2 games, against auba he tries to guess and dives well before the shot is even taken.
Today he bottles a challenge, literally bottles it, hands by his side and quarter attempt to play the ball with slight movement of head. I can take a mistake by a player but bottling is something I have no time for at all. Get him out thanks for covering when needed.
Shelvey the stroller, what a liability. Honestly how has he remained at our club for so long
TomaKaThor
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:03 PM
Comment #10Is Bruce going to do his usual and change nothing… Iif he changes nothing.. He needs sectioning
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:03 PM
Comment #11@Mund
I always will support them but you can clearly see the players don’t want to play for him its embarrassing now
As it stands we are going to get relegated without another win with Bruce in charge
JP...from The Rock
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:03 PM
Comment #12I bet there will be no changes until the 65mins mark.
RoyalToon
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:03 PM
Comment #13Bruce will bring ASM on and he will go down with a hamstring injury and be out for another 2 months.
Ninjacent
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:04 PM
Comment #14Our percentage of the ball has increased from 30% to 40% lol
Jail for Ashley
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:04 PM
Comment #15Wow, what was Darlow actually doing, was it some kind of brain fart.
Australian Pie
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:04 PM
Comment #16No change from Bruce
Toon67
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:04 PM
Comment #17No changes, Bruce obviously happy with the first half.
The Prince's Mate
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:04 PM
Comment #18Enough from me, am going on to YouTube to listen to some tunes… Have supported the Mags since 1965… but enough is enough.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:04 PM
Comment #19Rafa wanted to get rid of Shelvey to replace with a new midfielder lucky for him he left and then Jonjo couldn’t wait to stick the boot in while his new chum Bruce gave him a new contract
Stuck with him on 80k a week for a few seasons now as no one will buy him in the top league
Toonarmy of Frogs
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:05 PM
Comment #20Can’t defend. Can’t attack.
Totally screwed 😡
lochinvar
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:05 PM
Comment #21Had Bruce made any half time changes?
Nope.
Bruce now denies us the chance of scoring 3 goals in 45 mins
Its over a year since we came behind to win a match
Appalling
Tackle from behind
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:05 PM
Comment #22We need a change at half time.
A change of manager.
West Lancs Geordie
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:05 PM
Comment #23Well Masters if you can hold out to the end of the season you won’t have to give any answers as to why the takeover didn’t happen because it f…ing won’t and the Saudis will walk away.
BUT age truth hurts doesn’t it.
Its too late for changes now just take the defeat and move on to Tuesday and another pasting.
We won’t beat anyone with this plonker in charge.
Put the groundsman in charge on Tuesday he cant do any worse.
Just waiting for ASM ago come on and get injured , Scar sent off and Wilson out for the rest of the season.
Jail for Ashley
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:05 PM
Comment #24I wish the fat footer would stop licking his lips doing ketamime ravers impressions!!!
beermonkey
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:06 PM
Comment #25Surely we have to sack the cockwomble now
ShirebrookToon
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:06 PM
Comment #26Bruce is doing a good job is he. A good job a guiding us to the Championship the footin useless melted welly heeded nonce.
Foot off Bruce now!!!!
Even the players don’t want you here by the looks of that performance.
Absolute footing shambles!!!
Mund
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:06 PM
Comment #27Lee
I agree 100% mate he has to go and he has definitely lost the dressing room.
AncientC
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:06 PM
Comment #28Shelvey is a very specific and sophisticated type of weapon. I’m withholding judgement on all players under Bruce – and that includes Joelinton.
West Lancs Geordie
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:06 PM
Comment #29Going………………. Going……………………
GONE!
TomaKaThor
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:07 PM
Comment #30How is this man a manager, no freaking changes.. I saw it coming but my god.. He is awful and so predictable its unreal.. The clueless donkey.. Resign ffs
lochinvar
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:07 PM
Comment #31Ripped apart
That should have been 3 – to Villa just to clarify the point
Reilly
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:07 PM
Comment #32Should be 3-0.
Tsunki
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:07 PM
Comment #33Shame Lewis was too quick with the assist…
The Prince's Mate
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:07 PM
Comment #34Mund… I admire your diligence but naaaa, no more
beermonkey
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:07 PM
Comment #35Do Sunderland now refer to Bruce as
Agent bruce
DrGloom
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:07 PM
Comment #36Villa should have scored there
Tsunki
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:08 PM
Comment #37Ancient that’s the point, the setup of the side is enough to knacker most players.
Australian Pie
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:08 PM
Comment #38Lewis is just so awful
lochinvar
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:08 PM
Comment #39Numerous crosses poorly delivered causing Villa not the slightest problem
Plan B?
Jail for Ashley
Jan 23, 2021 at 9:09 PM
Comment #40Apparently we put in 13 crosses in that first half. The most we have put in over 90 this season is fifteen. No doubt we’ll be hearing about this improvement in the post match interview.