We weren’t good enough, says boss Bruce
caused havoc again on 27 minutes and won a free-kick on the left-hand side after a foul by Frederic Guilbert, but Jonjo Shelvey’s shot was collected by Heaton.
Villa came close on 29 minutes when Luiz’s powerful effort was tipped over by Martin Dubravka.
But the Slovakian international was let down by a silly and needless foul from Yedlin who shoved Grealish near the
STEVE Bruce admitted that Newcastle United “weren’t good enough” as they collapsed at Aston Villa last night.
The Magpies were beaten 2-0 and now face Manchester City at St James’ Park after a weekend in which both Norwich City and Southampton trimmed the gap down at the bottom.
United have a five-point cushion above the relegation zone but will need to find an improvement quickly.
When asked about the fans penalty area.
Having escaped punishment in terms of a card Yedlin could only watch as Grealish teed up Conor Hourihane to sweep the ball majestically past Dubravka and hand Villa the lead on 32 minutes.
Before Newcastle could regroup, Villa came flying forward again with Federico Fernandez booked for another foul on Grealish.
Grealish’s free-kick was
– who made their unhappiness known at the end – Bruce said: “They make it the club it is.
“It is fantastic support and they were there in their thousands. We have tried hard but we weren’t good enough. At least there was a response.
“At that moment in the match it would have been a bit interesting had Allan’s shot went past Heaton.
“We were too passive in the first half, we had opportunities on the counter played into the box and Anwar El Ghazi was left unmarked to fire home the second goal in the space of four minutes.
Newcastle almost clawed one back before the break when Shelvey’s corner picked out Fernandez but Heaton made a fine save to push the ball away.
Newcastle went in 2-0 down at the break after sloppy defensive display.
United started the second but should have held on to the ball and should have created a bit more.
“We surrendered it too quickly in the first half.
“We had one or two opportunities but were not quite there.”
And reflecting on the opening 45 minutes, Bruce said: “In the first half, we were nowhere near where we have been in the past few weeks.
“Until the free-kick, there was nothing in the game.
“We could have defended better but it changed the half with some urgency and Saint-Maximin’s low effort needed to be tipped wide by Heaton just two minutes in.
However, the Magpies were grateful to Dubravka at the other end on 53 minutes as he pushed away Ezri Konsa’s header from Grealish’s corner with Newcastle’s marking again questionable.
The black and whites regained some composure just before the hour with Almiron’s throw ending up at the feet of Isaac Hayden before the midfielder drove a shot at Heaton.
Moments later, Saint-Maximin’s cross almost resulted in Konsa slicing past his own keeper but the ball went out for a corner.
Bruce made his first change of the night just after the hour mark with Andy Carroll thrown into a 4-4-2 system to replace Paul Dummett.
With 21 minutes left, Yedlin swung over a cross from the right to pick out Carroll but after chesting the ball down and firing at goal, Heaton gathered once more.
Two minutes later, Carroll knocked the ball down for Joelinton but he blazed it spectacularly over the bar.
It would prove to be the last act of the £40million man’s night with Dwight Gayle replacing him seconds later.
Dubravka was needed again on 77 minutes as he blocked superbly to deny Wesley from close range after a left-wing cross.
A third goal wouldn’t have been undeserved for Villa but nothing can disguise how poor Newcastle played for 90 minutes as they failed to rise to the occasion.
Did United get ahead of themselves after two wins in a row?
It’s not an unfair suggestion on this evidence.
Blue Monday isn’t the word. game. The key was whether we could score after halftime. The more we chased the game the more open we become.”
But Bruce must go back to the drawing board now and with Man City heading to Tyneside, he said: “We are up against one of the best team in the world (Manchester City) next and we have to do better than tonight if we want to get anything out of the game, We have to roll our sleeves up and get ready for it.”
Left fully exposed for both goals by his defence. Made superb saves to deny Konsa and Wesley in the second half.
Ridiculous foul on Grealish to hand Villa gift-wrapped chance to take the lead on 32 minutes. Improved after the break.
Not his greatest effort for United on his return to Villa Park.
An error in build-up to Villa goal after conceding the free-kick but almost made amends with a header at the Holte End.
Managed a couple of clearances with his side on the ropes. Hooked on 62 minutes for Carroll.
Tried to get things moving down the left. Reverted to long balls at times.
Improved slightly after the break and tested Heaton with a shot.
Managed some balls into the box but did not stamp his authority on a game like this despite wearing skipper’s armband.
Newcastle’s most dangerous player with some powerful runs and his ability to win free-kicks.
Just not at the races. Not a single cross and didn’t manage a shot on target. Those stats need to improve.
Won a fair share of defensive headers. But lacking sharpness. Some good skills but nowhere near enough impact. *Subs must play 15 minutes.