LATE LASCELLES SAVES THE DAY
Newcastle 1 Aston Villa 1
JAMAAL LASCELLES rescued struggling Newcastle with a 94thminute header to earn boss Steve Bruce a precious point.
An own-goal from Ciaran Clark, after Ollie Watkins’ header looped in off the Toon defender’s thigh late on, looked to have made it another desperate night for Bruce.
But just when the pressure was building again on the Magpies boss (above), Lascelles headed home with the last attack of the game.
Bruce has now overseen just two wins in 19 games, but will be thankful to his skipper following the dramatic finale.
It was a tight first half with Villa looking the more composed and Newcastle failing to look a fluid outfit who can score enough goals. The
Geordies have failed to score in the first half of 21 of their 28 games this season.
Bruce has a major problem up front without their three main forwards – Callum Wilson,
Allan SaintMaximin and Miguel Almiron.
That trio has been involved in all but six of United’s 28 league goals and the home side struggled again with Joelinton isolated on the right wing, Dwight Gayle struggling on the left and Ryan Fraser playing as a false nine through the middle.
The makeshift threesome combined, with the Brazilian striker and Gayle teeing up Ryan Fraser for a volley which Emi Martinez saved. Newcastle were nervy but Joelinton nicked the ball ahead of Tyrone Mings and raced in on goal in a spirited run.
As usual he lacked a finish and his shot was well blocked by Ezri Konsa sliding in, to once again raise questions as to how the club paid £40million for the striker.
After a dominant start, Villa suffered a blow when Bertrand Traore smashed into a metal railing on the side of the pitch, after being nudged by Paul Dummett, and staggered off in pain. Substitute Anwar El Ghazi drilled in a shot after coming on which keeper Martin Dubravka saved.
The Slovakia keeper had to be sharp to beat away Trezeguet’s shot from an angle, as Villa dominated despite having only won once in their last five games.
Clear-cut chances were rare in a workmanlike first-half stalemate, but Konsa’s header from Matt Targett’s free-kick went close after the break.
Villa’s own form has not been great since Jack Grealish was injured and they need their star man back quickly to provide a cutting edge.
Joelinton squandered a chance with 18 minutes to go. The Brazilian did well to surge clear onto Joe Willock’s ball with the goal begging to be hit, until he squared it to a Villa player to clear.