Bruce is crushed by brilliant Villa
Watkins and Traore add to Toon misery
ASTON VILLA’S Ollie Watkins ended his goal drought to intensify t he pressure on beleaguered Newcastle manager Steve Bruce.
Watkins broke the deadlock early with his first goal in 10 matches and Bertrand Traore wrapped up the points before half-time, leaving Newcastle without a win in 10 games in all competitions, scoring only four goals during that time.
Though the visitors huffed and puffed, there was a clear gulf in class and Toon fans, already calling for Bruce’s head, will be alarmed they now sit just seven points above the relegation zone having played a game more than Fulham in 18th
Newcastle arrived at Villa Park against a stormy backdrop that has not been unusual during owner Mike Ashley’s time at the club. During a dismal run bereft of points and goals, Bruce has started to refer to his predecessor as the ‘mighty Rafa Benitez’ in a sarcastic response to being unfavourably compared to the Spaniard.
Dean Smith was restricted to watching from the stands after complaining too vehemently about an offside decision in last week’s defeat at Manchester City.
But early shots on target were traded by Miguel Almiron and Matt Targett as both sides showed positive intent i n the opening stages. Targett then fired across goal with Watkins narrowly failing to apply the finishing touch.
The 13th minute proved fortunate for the Villa striker however. Targett was again given too much room down the left, breaking free of Jonjo Shelvey and his centre towards Watkins flicked up off Fabian Schar’s outstretched leg.
As Toon goalkeeper Karl Darlow momentarily hesitated before coming out t o claim, Watkins planted a firm header for his first goal since netting at Arsenal on November 8. Though he was ahead of Schar when t he cross was delivered, he was not ahead of the ball itself and had dropped into an onside position when the Newcastle defender touched the ball.
There was no faulting Newcastle’s effort in response to the setback, the players were putting in a shift for their manager, but Villa always seemed to have more options in possession, with Jack Grealish pulling the strings and both full-backs getting forward.
Newcastle’s main threat was aerial and, after 31 minutes, Emiliano Martinez had to gather from Andy Carroll after the striker won a header and then went for the rebound as the loose ball bounced off Tyrone Mings.
Villa’s public address system played celebration music when
Watkins buried a pass from Grealish into the bottom corner after 34 minutes but the joy was cut short with the striker a yard offside.
They did not have to wait long for the real thing to make it 2-0. Grealish’s corner was half-punched clear by Darlow but, when the ball arrived back at the England international’s feet via Traore, he played it back and Traore finished with a cute sidefoot from 12 yards for his fourth goal in six games.
Newcastle seemed to lack ideas apart from fouling. Carroll went into the book for getting to the ball late and clip ping Marvelous Nakamba. Jamal Lascelles quickly followed with a yellow for stopping Douglas Luiz’s run.
Ross Barkley then tried a backheel volley that went over the bar before Bruce made his first changes and gave Allan Saint- Maximin his long-awaited return after 70 minutes. But he could not give Newcastle the impetus they needed and the misery continues.