Analysis: The perfect blend of goals for Villapublished at 17:14 GMT
17:14 GMT
Ciaran Kelly Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Have Aston Villa cracked the code?
In an era where xG is so prevalent, Unai Emery's clinical team have scored 13 goals from outside the penalty area in the Premier League this season – the most of any side in the competition.
Emiliano Buendia's opener was the latest in a long line of sensational strikes.
The forward collected the ball, following a deft lay-off from Morgan Rogers, and Newcastle players stood off him, almost imploring him to shoot from distance, which always felt a risky strategy given his record.
Buendia certainly did not need a second invitation.
He had the split second he needed to look up, pick his spot and fire his side in front as the Villa supporters up in the gods repeatedly sang his name.
But Villa also hurt Newcastle from inside the box.
Ollie Watkins will soon have increased competition from striker Tammy Abraham, who is set to complete a move from Besiktas, and you suspect he will relish that challenge.
Nick Pope may have foiled him twice previously, but Watkins eventually found a way through to power a bullet header past the Newcastle goalkeeper.
Villa are capable of scoring all types of goals - and that's what makes them so dangerous as they responded in style after losing in the Premier League at home to Everton last week.
Newcastle 0-2 Aston Villa: What Emery and Buendia saidpublished at 16:44 GMT
16:44 GMT
Media caption,
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's victory at Newcastle: "I am so, so happy. The players were extraordinary. We spoke about this match and the difficulties some teams have with their level here. It is the highest level we can face this season and the players respond fantastic.
"The commitment to the fans... being so disciplined individually and collectively got us through it. We can only helped the players tactically. Out on the field they need to show the attitude and commitment to work to the game plan and they did it.
"Emiliano Martinez played a fantastic match. He focused on the match and his character, skills and commitment...because we need every player...really fantastic.
"Last week we lost and we were so disappointed, but we can be calm again and have confidence. We were comfortable in what we were doing."
Villa's first goalscorer Emiliano Buendia, also spoke to BBC Match of the Day: "I think mainly really to compete well, be strong and fight in every duel for the ball. We haven't had success in this stadium for a while and we knew how difficult they make it for opponents. We fought for every ball and had the patience with the ball.
"It's a tough schedule for us but it is what we want to do, play in European competitions and fight for these places in the Premier League so we have to adapt, fight and play and recover and go again.
"I am really proud of this team. we made a huge effort on Thursday and again today.
"We have to look to be there and fight until the end. We know what we want to achieve, fighting for the Champions League spots. To score is always a nice feeling but the main thing is to help the team. To open the game with that kind of goal helps the momentum of the game turn in our favour.
"I am really happy and we deserved the three points"
Thanks to Buendia's opener, Villa led at half-time in an away Premier League game for the first time this season - with only Burnley and Wolves now failing to complete that feat in 2025-26.
Villa have netted 13 goals from outside the penalty area in the Premier League this campaign which is the most of any side in the competition and their most as a club in the top-flight since 2007-08 (16).
Newcastle v Aston Villa: Team newspublished at 13:04 GMT
13:04 GMT
Image source, BBC Sport
Injured captain Bruno Guimaraes misses out as Newcastle United make one change for the visit of Aston Villa.
Guimaraes has not been named in the squad after coming off with an ankle issue in the 3-0 win against PSV Eindhoven midweek. Lewis Miley replaces the Brazilian in the side.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Crystal Palace v Chelsea" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Manchester United", for instance.
Sutton's predictions: Newcastle v Aston Villapublished at 10:00 GMT
10:00 GMT
Aston Villa's home defeat by Everton last week showed again how difficult it is to make predictions this season.
Villa had won their past 11 home games before then, and had been pretty dominant against Everton in the league in recent seasons too. I was extremely confident they would win to keep the pressure on Arsenal... and I was wrong!
Now? Well, Unai Emery's side have a long trip to Turkey in the Europa League before this game and they have a few injuries to contend with too. John McGinn and Boubacar Kamara will be badly missed and I am slightly concerned about their options up front now Donyell Malen has left.
That's why I'm backing Newcastle here. They are so strong in midfield but they are especially good at home - I always fancy them to win at St James' Park.
Newcastle United v Aston Villa: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:11 GMT 24 January
13:11 GMT 24 January
Matt Jones BBC Sport journalist
Newcastle United and Aston Villa will both be looking to bounce back after disappointing Premier League results last weekend when they meet at St James' Park on Sunday (14:00 GMT).
Newcastle were unable to find a breakthrough against bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers in a 0-0 draw, continuing their woes on the road this season. On home soil, they have been much more effective and will be boosted by a 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League in midweek.
Qualification for the Europa League knockout stage was the positive from a rough week for Aston Villa. Their 11-game home winning run was ended by Everton last weekend, and they then received the brutal news that key midfielder Boubacar Kamara is set to miss the rest of the season through injury.
Woltemade and Wissa still strangers
Although Newcastle have been strong at home this season, much of their attacking output lately has come from midfield and wide areas.
Bruno Guimaraes, who is a doubt for this game because of an ankle injury, is their leading league scorer with eight goals and would be a huge miss. Newcastle have never won a top-flight match he has missed.
Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa are the main striker options, but both have found life difficult domestically.
Since Wissa made his debut after recovering full fitness, Newcastle have lacked a consistent focal point up front. He has managed just one goal in the top flight so far, while Woltemade has scored in only one of his past 14 games – a brace in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea.
Wissa was impressive on his Champions League debut in midweek, grabbing a goal and an assist in the win over PSV, and could earn another start this weekend as a result.
Could Eddie Howe potentially pair the duo in an attempt to spark them both into life? At this stage, it appears unlikely. Remarkably, of the 268 minutes Wissa has played in the Premier League for Newcastle so far, Woltemade has been on the pitch for none of them.
Villa face critical moment as midfield falls apart
After the week they have endured, it feels as though Villa's campaign has reached a defining stage.
Not only will they be without the imperious Kamara for the foreseeable future, but captain and driving force John McGinn is also facing a spell on the sidelines after his injury against Everton.
Amadou Onana returned as a substitute against Fenerbahce on Thursday but the lack of midfield options appears to be having a knock-on effect in attack too. Morgan Rogers had six shots against Everton, his most in a game for Villa without scoring, and he has now had more shots than any player (15) since Christmas without a goal.
Villa had scored in 10 consecutive Premier League games before travelling to Crystal Palace. They have now failed to score in their last two and the sale of Donyell Malen leaves Ollie Watkins as the only senior striker.
Even with a fully-fit squad, Villa do not relish trips to Newcastle. The Magpies have not lost to Villa in their last 17 home league meetings, winning the last four at St James' Park by an aggregate score of 13-1.
Emery on team fitness, replacing Malen and Newcastlepublished at 15:01 GMT 23 January
15:01 GMT 23 January
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Newcastle at St James' Park (kick-off 14:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Players will be assessed again before Sunday's game as they are often "a little bit tired" or have niggles the day after playing.
Emery said he doesn't have an update on captain John McGinn "because he is visiting some doctors," but he expects to know more "in a couple of days".
Midfielder Boubacar Kamara also remains sidelined, as does Ross Barkley who has returned to individual training this week and could re-join the group sessions next week.
Leon Bailey, who has been recalled from Roma, is fit and available to play on Sunday.
Emery said the club are "working" in this transfer market to replace forward Donyell Malen.
He said he is "so happy with how they [his players] performed" against Fenerbahce because although the win is all that matters, he liked "how" they did it individually and together.
On opponents Newcastle: "It's a strong challenge away [from home] because they are in competition for a top place in the competition. They are performing fantastic in the Champions League and are strong at home. They are a team we have to try to beat."
Villa find clarity within Wall of Soundpublished at 11:54 GMT 23 January
11:54 GMT 23 January
Mike Taylor BBC Radio WM reporter in Istanbul
Image source, Getty Images
The five-minute highlights loop that kept recurring on the hotel television until late into the night distilled the match to the key point. While the home team gamely responded to the urging of their fans, charging forward relentlessly, the reel confirmed that most of the classier work was done by Villa. Picking off their opponents on the counter, Villa created most of the better openings and with some neater finishing, could have won by a much wider margin. Jadon Sancho left enough unclaimed to have had a hat-trick himself, but one was plenty.
The main objective for this part of the competition, direct access to the last sixteen, is now secured. A win against Salzburg next week would land the star prize of the most favourable arrangement of home and away fixtures in the knockout rounds, but it is the two blank midweeks in February that are of most value. It's hard to imagine lasting in a Unai Emery squad without being as besotted by the game as he is, but there are physical limits, and occasionally of late Villa have seemed close to theirs.
There is no peace for now, however. To Newcastle, next, with a few questions to consider, not least whether Marco Bizot is not only becoming their most reliable option in goal in terms of fitness, but showing the form to be on equal standing with Emi Martinez. He did all that was asked again here without fuss, but will have understood the terms of the assignment when he signed up. It would be no surprise if Martinez - assuming his niggling injuries permit - pops up with one of his spectaculars at Newcastle now. He's good at reminding everyone not just that he is the best but, as Fifa have twice officially declared him since 2022, The Best.
That five-minute version skimmed over one thing, though. Fenerbahce and their supporters gave Villa the full Wall of Sound experience, enough to burst open any cracks in their temperament. Without several of their elders, that could have been problematic to a squad that seemed weary last weekend. It was a good sign that they stayed composed throughout, save for one odd flurry between Emery and Youri Tielemans, as he was being substituted. "He is like my son," said Emery, brushing it off. It was worth making the change, as the few minutes the 18-year-old replacement George Hemmings enjoyed in that environment was time invested in the future. With the intensity of Villa's fixture list, the future arrives very fast.
'I don't like the look of it' - Lescott on Tielemans handshakepublished at 09:09 GMT 23 January
09:09 GMT 23 January
Image source, Getty Images
Unai Emery played down pushing Youri Tielemans during Aston Villa's win at Fenerbahce, stating "he's my son".
The incident took place late in the fixture when Tielemans left the pitch and in analysing it afterwards, former Villa defender Joleon Lescott told TNT Sport: "It might be innocent, but I don't like that.
"Regardless of what it was for, if it was the other way around and the player refused to shake his manager's hand, there would be uproar, and his mentality and professionalism would be questioned.
"I'm sure it's more innocent than it looks, but I don't like the look of it."
Fenerbahce 0-1 Aston Villa - the fans' verdictpublished at 08:19 GMT 23 January
08:19 GMT 23 January
We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Europa League game between Fenerbahce and Aston Villa.
Here are some of your comments:
John: A win is a win. It cements a top-eight place and shows what we can do. A little ropey at the back on occasion but we shall gladly take the three points. Man of the match for me has to be Marco Bizot. He made some great saves in a hard environment.
Peter: Hard fought win with every player putting a shift in. It also proves what a top manager we have in Unai Emery, especially after resting players!
Cassie: Villa played a great game and should have been three goals up at half-time. Emery got the tactics right, yet again, and Morgan Rogers had another good game. I wonder what Villa play like if they sign and play an orthodox number nine. Well done lads.
Mossy: Truly a massive win in one of the most hostile places on earth football wise. A huge boost for the club. To be honest, it was unexpected as I thought we would struggle. I'm elated and delighted for the club, and all us fans of course! In Unai we trust.
John: Possibly my favourite ever away Villa European performance. Rotterdam doesn't count as it was a neutral venue. We were absolutely immense. Every single player understood their role perfectly. Jadon Sancho picked a good time for his most committed Villa performance. What else is there to say about Unai? The best manager in this country by a mile.
Barry: An impressive display from a depleted Villa side in a difficult environment. Emi Buendia was excellent and had it not been for some delayed final passes in the final third it could have been a bigger score line. Bizot was superb and is arguably challenging Martinez as first choice goalkeeper. Evann Guessand still looks out of his depth at this level and I think Villa need to move him on.
Gossip: Elliott targeted by MLS published at 08:02 GMT 23 January
08:02 GMT 23 January
Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC are interested in England Under-21 international midfielder Harvey Elliott, 22, who is on loan at Aston Villa from Liverpool. (Sky Sports), external
Fenerbahce 0-1 Aston Villa: What Emery and Sancho saidpublished at 07:52 GMT 23 January
07:52 GMT 23 January
Image source, Getty Images
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery speaking to TNT Sports: "We have clear objectives in this competition to be a contender for a trophy.
"We want to be a contender in case we need this trophy to play in the Champions League. Through our league it is very difficult.
"I am dreaming to be here getting trophies and the Europa is one objective we have this year.
"We are building the team with some circumstances not helping us.
"But next week we can finish the transfer window and hopefully we can get everything we need to complete the squad for the next months and the competitions we have."
Matchwinner Jadon Sancho speaking to TNT Sports: "I'm just happy to get my first goal for Aston Villa and to top it off it's a win.
"I was pointing at Ezri [Konsa] and Ian [Maatsen] because in training we've been practising some headers, so it was kind of funny that obviously I scored a header.
"I just take it day by day in training. Obviously, the manager and the team are helping me to get to my best. Honestly, I know I can do a lot more. I'm very hard on myself in that aspect. But again I'm very grateful that I got my first goal for Aston Villa and I hope it continues."
Did you know?
Aston Villa have won 20 of their last 25 matches in all competitions. Since the start of this run on 25 September, only Arsenal (21) have won more among teams in Europe's big-five leagues.
Fenerbahce 0-1 Aston Villa: Sancho impresses in Turkeypublished at 20:20 GMT 22 January
20:20 GMT 22 January
Joe Rindl BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Jadon Sancho scored his first Aston Villa goal by latching on to Matty Cash's deflected cross and nodding the ball beyond Fenerbahce keeper Ederson from close range.
He should have doubled his tally in the 42nd minute when he rounded Ederson after being played through by Morgan Rogers, but his eventual shot was blocked on the goalline by Fenerbahce captain Milan Skriniar.
Still, along with Rogers, he was Villa's most creative player in a hostile atmosphere in Turkey, constantly popping up in Fenerbahce's box
Sancho was playing in his 19th game for Villa, having joined on loan from Manchester United in September.
His United contract expires next summer but the Old Trafford club have an option to extend it.
The 25-year-old has only started two Premier League games this season, but in the Europa League he has been in Villa's starting line-up for each of their past five matches.
Fenerbahce v Aston Villa: Team newspublished at 17:07 GMT 22 January
17:07 GMT 22 January
Image source, BBC Sport
So many familiar names in the Fenerbahce line-up. In goal is ex-Manchester City stopper Ederson. In defence there's former Wolves full-back Nelson Semedo. Fred, once of Manchester United, is in midfield. And up top is ex-Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran.
Plenty of changes for Aston Villa. Only Matty Cash, Youri Tielemans, Emi Buendia, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins survive from the side that started against Everton at the weekend.
Aston Villa XI: Bizot, Digne, Mings, Lindelof, Cash, Tielemans, Bogarde, Buendia, Rogers, Sancho, Watkins.
Image source, Getty Images
