Five-star Newcastle thrash Aston Villa in their season opener; and an update has been given on Tyrone Mings who was stretchered off.
The Magpies produced a statement victory with Sandro Tonali, Alexander Isak (2) and Callum Wilson scoring the goals and Moussa Diaby netting for Villa.
In an eventful first half at St James’ Park, Sandro Tonali opened the scoring for the hosts just six minutes in before Moussa Diaby got Aston Villa level five minutes later.
Alexander Isak then got Newcastle back in front before extending Eddie Howe’s side advantage in the second half with a deft finish.
Callum Wilson grabbed Newcastle’s fourth in the 77th minutes with new signing Harvey Barnes making it five in added-time goal.
To put more concerns on Unai Emery’s Aston Villa, they saw defender Tyrone Mings pick up a significant injury in the first half.
Mings was stretchered off the pitch during through the first half, seen sprinting alongside Magpies forward Alexander Isak towards the corner of the pitch before falling to the ground clutching his knee in pain.
Tyrone Mings injury. Look at his right knee, prototypical ACL tear position while trying to change direction(and on video, looks like there’s a quick buckle). Hoping to be wrong here, hate to see this. pic.twitter.com/ApXPW9gsjy
— Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT (@3cbPerformance) August 12, 2023
Tyrone Mings is stretchered off the pitch 😥 pic.twitter.com/zs9b5oKQvY
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 12, 2023
The 30-year-old is to now be assessed in the upcoming week and the severity of his injury will be determined.
Unai Emery, on Tyrone Mings’ injury:“It doesn’t look good.”
Could it be as bad as Buendia?” Yes it is worse always in the position we tried to avoid injured players. It doesn’t look good.
“We have lost two players and they are very important players. We have to analyse.”
How important is it to not let this define your season? “We’re not changing our idea. We are going to be very demanding but we know the top seven teams in the Premier League. One of them is Newcastle. We have to analyse and try to get again our way. But the worst is the injured player.”
Moussa Diaby: “After the result, after the injured player, it is something that is good and we watch it in some circumstances on the pitch we try to be positive. And then we will think only in this match. Then we will think in the next match and try again to build our structure as soon as possible.”
Eddie Howe speaking to BBC’s Match of the Day on the 5-1 win over Aston Villa:“We’re very pleased. It was a tough game, Aston Villa are a very good team. We knew we had to be at our best. We scored five, we could have scored more but they were also in the game.
“It was a tight game decided by our ruthlessness in front of goal. Everything clicked for us today.”
On Sandro Tonali:“Really pleased with Sandro, really good today. He has settled in well and adapted to the style really well. The goal will do him no harm at all, and the same for Harvey [Barnes].
On his centre-forward options: “I went with Alex [Isak] today. Alex and Callum [Wilson] are two really top players and we saw Alex do well and then Callum come on and do well, that’s what we are going to need throughout a hard season.
“Wilson is a top player and he looked razor-sharp when he came on.”
On upcoming fixtures: “We knew it was a difficult start so you look at this game as a massive moment in our season. Now we have to go to Manchester City which is the hardest place to go. We’ve got to embrace the challenge and then of course, Liverpool, but we will focus on Man City first.”
Newcastle striker Callum Wilson, speaking after the win against Aston Villa: “We are playing against a top team today. We played them in pre-season and we drew 3-3 so we knew how difficult it was going to be. From that moment on and in pre-season we knew we had to knuckle down and work hard so that today we could put in a performance to impress the fans and get a result.”
You had to wait for your chance: “Yeah, as a professional you want to start the game. You have use that disappointment that when you do get on the pitch you put your best foot forward. I got on the scoresheet but to be honest I wanted more. I think I hit it too soon and didn’t let it come across my body enough. It is something to work on.”
That’s four in four Premier League opening games now… “It is. I should have told the manager that before the game.”
How important is the win? “Yeah it was vitally important, especially at home today to make sure we get off the mark. The games are tougher week by week so we have to makes sure we get points on the board.”
On the new signings: “Sandro [Tonali] is a quality player, we knew that when he joined the club in pre-season. Today he made his mark on his debut and got a goal. Harvey [Barnes], as a striker you thrive off those chances when he’s running through.”
An open and honest reflection of Aston Villa’s night in Newcastle from Unai Emery 👇 pic.twitter.com/3mkhaH1iCo
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 12, 2023
“It doesn’t look good” 😞
Unai Emery provides an update on Tyrone Mings after the defender was stretchered off against Newcastle. pic.twitter.com/xKvOKZv3lG
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 12, 2023
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe speaking to Sky Sports about Sandro Tonali’s performance in the 5-1 win over Aston Villa: “When you consider it’s his first game in England, how calm he was before the match. He is just taking it in its stride and he was magnificent for us.”
On Newcastle’s attacking midfield: “We’ve worked very hard at trying to give teams problems with our midfield shape. We try and make it as unpredictable as we can. I have to praise those players, they all have different qualities.
On added time: “The squad dynamic is more important than ever with the added time. We had a strong bench today and hopefully we can carry that through the season.”
Here’s more from manager Eddie Howe speaking to Sky Sports about Newcastle’s transfer window: “We’re hoping for one more [signing], no guarantee, but we will fight to the end to strengthen.
“We are getting there. Every transfer window we have got stronger. We’ve lost Allan Saint-Maximin, who was a massive player for us, we’re going to miss his unpredictability.”
On the season ahead: “We want the supporters to dream. We have to focus on Manchester City away – it’s the hardest fixture in the Premier League so that is a sobering thought for us. We’re looking at can we win the game fully in the knowledge they are the best team, they have been the bench mark.”
“You’re looking for the complete player, as Alex walks behind me” 😏
Eddie Howe reflects on a BIG win for his Newcastle side and just how impressive Sandro Tonali was on his debut 👇 pic.twitter.com/VccXwYoVc7
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 12, 2023
Here’s what fans are saying as five-star Newcastle thrash Aston Villa in the season opener…
@tynetakes: Some result- picking up where we left off. That finish from isak was world class. A lot of talk about signings but we generally have a very good team here. Look so sharp going forward and having options off the bench makes a big difference. Good game from tonali on debut
@Tiley11: I always used to have just one favourite amongst the Newcastle squad going back to when I was a small boy… but this bunch, I have loads. Bruno, Big Joe, Willock, Tonali, Barnes, Isak, Wilson… I mean I could name them all!!! #NUFC
@JGHenry1994: Could we ask for a better start to the season?! Great win! Hopefully Tyrone Mings can have a speedy recovery ⚫️⚪️ #nufc #NEWAVL
@nufcphilip1892: What a first win of the season! 5-1 agaisnt the villa. Gordon looked a yard faster. Isak is class, magic every time he gets the ball. Tonali simply balls. Barnes looked Sharp. We have the squad now to bring on like for likes #NUFC
@AidenA22: Thought Gordon was excellent today nd up there with Tonali for MOTM. Involved consistently throughout nd had Cash in his pocket to where he could only foul to stop him. Great assist for for 1st. Think he’ll hav a big season #NUFC
@garethblackwood: Heard a lot about how good Villa are this summer. Good players, great manager no doubt…but they completely threw the towel in at 3-1 💪🏻⚫️⚪️ #NUFC #NEWAVL
@MIICKYB1989: What can I say from start to finish we bossed that game tonali just fits in perfect what a debut took his goal well and the balls he was spraying all over just incredible and Barnes looked sensational took his goal brilliant could have had 2 but none the less a good day🖤🤍 #NUFC
@gallowgate82: Every manager we have had since Bobby Robson “fans expect too much and this is a difficult crowd to please” Eddie Howe “I want the fans to dream and its my job to keep the players focused on the job” The fucking difference Ladies and Gentleman of the Toon Army #NUFC
@HOLYdunc: What impressed me most about Tonali was that he just… belonged. Not even the slightest hint of nerves. Like Isak, he knows he’s absolutely class #NUFC
@Douglas15358209: How fit do we look btw. The energy levels in this team are world class. Look even fitter than last season, an thats some doing. Off the ball we are relentless #NUFC
@Langas_1: Sandro Tonali marshalling St James Park as if he’s been here all his life & dragged up in the back streets of Benwell. What a full debut by the italian midfield maestro #NUFC
@toneyq73: What will a Howe trained Tonali be like? What a player! Gordon was class today as well #NUFC
@IrishGeordie1: What a buzz after that!! Tonali was different class and he’s just getting started. Gordon was immense and Barnes has shut up all the haters already. Isak is the coolest man on the planet #NUFC #NEWAVL
You must be logged in to post a comment Login