That Coventry game has really knocked this Newcastle United season hasn’t it?

Dreams of defending a place in the top four against likely challengers today went up in smoke, and hope was in short supply after Monday’s dismal showing.

I had a slightly optimistic view.

Earlier in the week, we discussed the game on The Mag podcast with Chris Budd of top Villa podcast My Old Man Said, and got round to predictions for this weekend.

While Chris and my weak-willed co-host Simon Cahill were very much on the fence (draws) I was moved to suggest that Villa’s midweek Champions League game could be the difference maker. The Wednesday kick off would give them little over a day of prep for an away trip, whereas United had the full week to aim for course correction.

I’m going to claim that I was sort of right. Despite a 6-0 stroll midweek, Villa turned up with changes to their starting line up and looked a little leggy at times. The fact that the result turned out as it did will be a source of real concern to all those dissecting this on a cold Tyneside Sunday (Newcastle United – ruining your weekends since 1988).

This played out early on as United looked brighter and more vibrant than the sluggish Villa but the old problem reared its head. Absolutely no effective killer balls, no apparent plan for attack and, inevitably, no shots at goal worth speaking of. The formation was amended to switch Fernandez-Pardo to the wing role he seems infinitely more suited to, with Wissa through the middle. However, the literal number nine’s actual adherence to the role, his shirt number, suggests was questionable to say the least, as he continued to appear in deep-lying roles the were increasingly baffling, with regular appearances deep in our own half.

We almost needed emergency defensive cover, when Botman’s robust challenge on Jackson brought an immediate yellow, before the dreaded VAR screen appeared to consider upping it to red. The VAR stayed with the ref’s call, which we were shouting on as being harsh from our seats. Later viewing of replays suggest the officials may have done Sven a favour.

Villa obviously found their feet in the game and the inevitable goal from a former target arrived. Joao Gomes crossed in the ball with the verve and invitation that United don’t seem to have and Johan Manzambi found himself unattended to head in easily.

Manzambi, of course, passed on the chance to join Newcastle in favour of Villa in the summer. This is totally understandable given the implosion of last season here versus a trophy winning, CL qualifying campaign in Birmingham. This snub was arguably the straw that broke Eddie Howe’s resolve to stick things here, but the blame game for this whole unravelling is a layered and complicated one, that will doubtless play out continuously in the months ahead. The unravelling continued as Buendia hit the post and Lewis Hall was on hand in a chaotic box to desperately welly the ball away.

The second half threatened minor improvement as Barnes early effort sailed wide and, finally, the shot on target arrived from our latest unexpected source. Botman followed up Monday night’s thunderblaster with a reaction volley from a corner that tested Suzuki for the first time, the Japan keeper producing a fine full length save. While this was his only stop of note I was impressed with Suzuki’s command of the area and confident claiming of every high ball, although this was due in part at least to United apparently aiming to float it into his gloves.

The necessary subs happened but it was desperation stuff as Osula is still short of fitness and Toure needs to adapt to look after the ball better. The most apparent evidence of the desperation came as Dan Burn was once again slung up front for some Allardyce style lump-it-and-hope stuff. Burn was arguably more effective in his ten minute cameo than any attacking threat from colleagues who are paid to do this.

The air was one of despondency as a muted crowd filtered out into the cold Saturday night. I have seen extreme reactions with Jaissle’s head being called for already. This is ludicrously early in an underprepared season and needs to be tempered. However, the possibility remains that the Premier League is an unforgiving environment for those who bring uncompromising managerial styles.

The playing about at the back until we get into trouble was something I’d hoped would be gone with the vertical football approach. I’d suggest a short-term solution would be the restoration of the aging but solid Burn/Schar partnership to provide the much needed organisation and the outlet of Fab’s outstanding long passing. If you’re worried about lack of speed costing us, I must have been watching different games to you where we don’t concede horrible avoidable goals each game, many on the counter and very few avoided thanks to pacy tracking back from the centre halves. The only bloke I see denying opposition chances is the repeatedly outstanding Hall who must be wondering where his destiny lies come the summer/January transfer window.

This is all the hand we’ve been dealt. The recriminations go deep. Could the summer have been better in terms of recruitment? Did Howe stay too long? Did Howe leaving cost us? You could go as far back as to pin this on Mike Ashley and Steve Bruce, creating such a mess in the early stages of 21/22 that Emery saw us as a basket case when offered the job.

The only definitive for me is that against the backdrop of the Manchester City business, we are constantly suffering from the loaded dice of the PSR/SCR system. I feel it’s wrong to hark back to wishing we’d retained Howe (as some are doing), we need to look forward. However, I couldn’t help but allow myself to consider the team Eddie wanted to put out but was denied by the system, with the likes of Trafford, Ekitike and Guehi feasible signings on a list that Manzambi now joins who have sought greater riches and better opportunities elsewhere. I have been moved to suggest that a Super League might be a welcome development, with the septics gone the English top flight may rediscover its soul amongst the many fine clubs deemed small or “food chained” by the increasing worldwide TV audience.

Photo by The Mag

As it stands, we need to ensure this transitional season does not become a transition into the Championship. This early on you cannot rule out a course correction ending in a European place, but the signs point to a battle at the bottom being a more likely agenda right now.

Jaissle has actions that can stir improvement, with personnel and formation tweaks more than possible to prompt improvements at Palace. However, some ominous games after the next international break suggest the weeks ahead have pressure to deliver.

Today we were narrowly beaten by an opponent we’ve had a shared journey with in recent years. Our paths seem to be diverging now, and the hope has to be that we don’t fork away too dramatically.

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

Newcastle team v Aston Villa:

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

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