Aston Villa win at Newcastle, Emery urges calm
Keith Hackett backs referee Jarred Gillett’s call not to book Joelinton for robust early fouls on Onana as Villa win 2-0 at Newcastle, with Buendia and Watkins scoring and Martinez outstanding.
Captain John McGinn faces about 6 weeks out with a knee injury, Tielemans’ ankle is being assessed, and Villa push to sign Tammy Abraham as Emery seeks midfield reinforcements.
Buendia’s 20-yard stunner and an 88th-minute Watkins header seal Villa’s first win at St James’ Park since 2005, level with Man City and four behind Arsenal. Martinez key with a vital first-half save.
Emery urges ‘calm’ after the 2-0 at Newcastle leaves Villa level with Man City. He praises consistency, flags John McGinn’s knee lay-off, and turns focus to Brentford and RB Salzburg.
Beşiktaş confirm triggering €13m clause to buy Tammy Abraham from Roma, enabling sale to Aston Villa. Villa to pay €21m and send Yasin Özcan to Beşiktaş. Abraham has flown to England for the move.
Don Goodman brands an errant Ollie Watkins pass ‘awful’, but the striker later heads in Digne’s cross to seal Villa’s 2-0 victory at Newcastle amid talk of Tammy Abraham’s arrival.
Villa, level with Man City, have three of the next five at home: Brentford, Brighton, Leeds, plus trips to Bournemouth and Wolves, offering a kind run in a tightening title race.
Despite Villa riding high and his 200th Premier League game, Emiliano Martinez faces scrutiny for costly errors after missing a Man United move, leaving the 33-year-old at a crossroads.
