Unai Emery and his Aston Villa players left St James’ Park with all three points after this Newcastle United encounter.

It was nine months since United had failed to score at home in all competitions, since a 2-0 January 2026 defeat to…Aston Villa.

A first half winner from Manzambi, who Newcastle United had lined up to sign in the summer, until he chose…Aston Villa.

Newcastle United remain above Aston Villa in the Premier League table but now only on goal difference.

Unai Emery after the final whistle: “We focused this match strong in our meetings before the game. This morning, just before the match as well, we were, everybody, aware about how important this match was. After our poor start, we have to try to keep balance in the table. We drew last week, of course, we accepted it against Brentford. We were not winning at home, we won on Wednesday in Champions League, very good victory, but again, in Premier League as a priority for the season, this competition, because through it we must achieve our objectives.”

Aston Villa were the better team in the first half, then Newcastle United edged it after the break but couldn’t find an equaliser despite plenty of effort.

Unai Emery: “I think today, the victory is really very fantastic. How we competed, how the players won duels, how the players as well showed their commitment, everybody, with the players bringing impact as well, they did fantastic. Very happy and grateful for our supporters as well, because they were with us here, enjoying the new time we are trying to build the team with some new players, as well with our demands.”

The Aston Villa boss ecstatic: “We defended fantastic in the first half, the second half. We scored one goal, we had some transitions as well to score the second goal, the first half, the second half. We needed, as well, Zion. Zion, he did a fantastic save [from Sven Botman], he did as well a lot of going to catch the ball when they were crossing. I think he did a fantastic job. More or less, we needed it, and we planned it. Set-pieces as well, we were defending fantastic. I think the players really, today, they did a fantastic job and we must feel proud of it, but as well understanding the matches are coming again – next week Viking, then on Saturday, Manchester City, then Carabao Cup. Of course, every competition, we must try to take those competitions, focusing strongly to try to build the team and to get our objectives.”

Newcastle United 0 Aston Villa 1 – Saturday 17 October 2026 5.30pm

Match Stats

Goals:

Villa:

Manzambi 36

Possession was Newcastle 49% Villa 51%

Total shots were Newcastle 16 Villa 15

Shots on target were Newcastle 1 Villa  3

Corners were Newcastle 4 Villa 5

Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 39 Villa 27

Hornicek, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Lewis Miley, Gonzalez, Willock (Osula 56), Joelinton (Burn 90), Wissa, Barnes, Fernandez-Pardo (Toure 56)

Unused subs:

Pope, Schar, Bamba, Steur, Dedic, Murphy