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(Credit: TNT Sports/Imago)
Jack Heath
Sat 16 August 2025 15:48, UK
Matty Cash has been adjudged to be at fault for Ezri Konsa’s red card after making a strange decision in the 0-0 draw against Newcastle.
All the attention had been on the Magpies prior to the match after all the speculation over Alexander Isak and his potential move to Liverpool looming over St James’ Park.
Yet, it was Eddie Howe‘s side who looked more proactive and encouraging, creating the better chances and constructing build-up play.
Unai Emery would have been extremely frustrated with his side’s performance and in particular with Konsa‘s red card, despite commentators noticing Cash could have been at fault for the dismissal.
Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images
Just as Aston Villa were starting to find some rhythm that was severely lacking in the first half, a loose ball from the Poland international gave the Toon a golden breakaway opportunity.
The right-back had the chance to whip in a ball by the by-line, opting to dink it back to the edge of the 18-yard box where none of his teammates were.
Consequently, Newcastle picked up the ball with Anthony Elanga sending Anthony Gordon through on goal, only to be pulled down by Konsa.
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Commentators Darren Fletcher and former Rangers striker Ally McCoist picked up on the ex-Nottingham Forest full-back’s involvement in the dismissal.
Fletcher noted (TNT Sports, 67th minute): “The chance came about from a cross from Cash that was put into quite a bizarre area really.”
McCoist then confirmed his co-commentator’s thoughts, saying: “Correct.
And the upshot of all of that is that Villa are down to 10.”
Football Insider verdict
A key area of concern for Emery’s attack is how disjointed the transitions were with several loose passes.
Ollie Watkins was starved of any good service as Morgan Rogers, John McGinn and Youri Tielemans were abysmal at retaining possession and playing the England international through on goal.
The signing of Evan Guessand could be the solution to reinvigorating the Villa threat with the Ivorian capable of playing anywhere in an attacking front three.
Evan Guessand 2024-25 all competitionsAppearances42Minutes played3,086Goals13Assists9(Source: Sofascore)
The 24-year-old notched 13 goals last year for Nice and, although he didn’t make his Premier League debut today, the Spanish coach will be tinkering with how he can get his new signing into the starting XI.
His dynamism carrying the ball is what the Villains need and he could be thrown into the starting team in the club’s next match against Brentford.
But, it is not the start the claret and blue were hoping for and major work will need to be done on the training ground to get that attacking unit motoring once again.
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