Johan Manzambi scored against the club he nearly joined as Aston Villa beat Newcastle United 1-0 at St. James’ Park, leaving Matthias Jaissle’s side with successive Premier League defeats.
The Switzerland international, who was expected to move from Freiburg to Newcastle in July before Aston Villa hijacked the deal, settled the match with a 36th-minute header. The result extended his excellent start to life in the Premier League and prompted boos from the home supporters at full time.
Villa made the brighter opening. Nicolas Jackson fired straight at Lukas Hornicek with the outside of his boot, while Newcastle defender Sven Botman was fortunate to escape a red card after a heavy challenge on the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich forward.
Jackson remained central to Villa’s attacking threat, with another effort deflecting off Botman before drifting wide. But it was Manzambi who broke the deadlock.
Joao Gomes delivered a cross from the right and Manzambi was left unmarked. Hornicek managed to get a hand to the header, but could not keep out a finish struck with too much power.
Newcastle were fortunate not to fall further behind before the interval. Emiliano Buendia’s shot hit the post and then struck Hornicek on the back, although no Villa player was close enough to turn the rebound into an easy finish. The half-time whistle was met by more boos from the frustrated home crowd.
Botman, who scored a spectacular goal in Newcastle’s 4-1 defeat by Coventry City five days earlier, nearly produced another with a fierce effort that Zion Suzuki pushed wide. Yoane Wissa then headed over as Newcastle began to commit more players forward.
Suzuki was again required to protect Villa’s advantage when he turned Ross Barkley’s shot around his right-hand post. Villa’s disciplined defending and threat on the break kept the hosts from building sustained pressure.
Substitute Ibrahim Mbaye had two chances to make the points safe. He powered one attempt over at the near post, before seeing a second effort drift wide after a winding run through the Newcastle defence.
Newcastle could not find a late equaliser. Wissa sent his final chance wide of the right-hand post, while Victor Lindelof threw himself in front of the ball during a scramble inside the Villa penalty area.
Manzambi highlights Newcastle’s transfer loss
Manzambi’s decision to join Villa was influenced by the prospect of UEFA Champions League football, and he has now contributed directly to five goals in four starts in all competitions, scoring three and creating two.
He is the fourth player to score or assist in each of his first three Premier League starts for Villa, following Dalian Atkinson in August 1992, Dion Dublin in November 1998 and Danny Ings in August 2021.
Newcastle’s expensive attacking recruit Matias Fernandez-Pardo, by comparison, has managed only two shots in five Premier League games this campaign, with one on target, and is still waiting for his first goal. He was withdrawn in the 56th minute after another quiet display.
Newcastle’s 16-match run without a home clean sheet in all competitions is now the longest in the club’s history. Villa goalkeeper Suzuki also completed 24 passes before half-time, more than any Newcastle player.
The victory gave Unai Emery his 100th Premier League win across his spells with Arsenal and Aston Villa. He reached the milestone in 197 matches, with 44 draws and 53 defeats, making him the joint-ninth fastest manager to record a century of wins in the competition.
