The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Aston Villa

  • EPL: Aston Villa beat Newcastle 2-0 to keep title hopes alive

    EPL: Aston Villa beat Newcastle 2-0 to keep title hopes alive

    Aston Villa moved to within four points of the Premier League summit after a commanding 2-0 victory over Newcastle at St James’ Park on Sunday, while Chelsea climbed into the top four with a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.

    Leaders Arsenal, however, can restore a seven-point cushion over Villa and Manchester City when they host Manchester United later this week.

    Villa bounced back from last weekend’s 1-0 home defeat to Everton to remain in contention for their first league title since 1981. Emi Buendia opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a spectacular strike from outside the box, setting Unai Emery’s side on course for their first win at Newcastle since 2005.

    Newcastle struggled without injured captain Bruno Guimaraes and were unable to inspire a fightback, leaving their Champions League qualification hopes in jeopardy. Ollie Watkins sealed the win with a header from Lucas Digne’s cross in the 88th minute.

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    The defeat saw Newcastle drop to ninth but remain just three points outside the top five, keeping their European ambitions alive. Villa, meanwhile, hold an 11-point advantage over sixth-placed Manchester United, keeping them on track for a return to Europe’s elite competition.

    At Selhurst Park, Chelsea delivered more blows to Crystal Palace with a 3-1 victory, extending their strong run under Liam Rosenior. The Blues scored through Estevao, Joao Pedro, and Enzo Fernandez from the penalty spot, marking their fourth win in five league matches since Rosenior’s appointment.

    Palace’s struggles deepened as England international Adam Wharton was sent off for two bookable offences, and striker Jean-Philippe Mateta missed a key early chance. Manager Oliver Glasner, who has announced he will leave the club at the end of the season, expressed frustration over the sale of captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City, adding to uncertainty over his squad’s future.

    Elsewhere in the relegation battle, Nottingham Forest strengthened their survival hopes with a 2-0 win over Brentford at home. Goals from Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi lifted Forest five points clear of the drop zone, following West Ham’s win over Sunderland on Saturday that had intensified pressure on Sean Dyche’s side.

  • Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa: Gunners thump title rivals to end year five points clear at top of Premier League

    Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa: Gunners thump title rivals to end year five points clear at top of Premier League

    Arsenal scored four goals in the second half as they thumped Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium to end the year five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

    Centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, making his first start since recovering from injury in November, bundled the ball in from a trademark corner in the 48th minute to give Arsenal the lead, and despite appeals from the Villa players for a foul on their goalkeeper Emi Martinez, the goal stood.

    The Gunners then doubled their lead when captain Martin Odegaard won the ball back in midfield before playing an excellent pass to Martin Zubimendi who poked the ball past Martinez.

    Leandro Trossard added a third when he slammed a shot low into the net from the edge of the area, after a lengthy check for offside by the video assistant referee (VAR).

    And substitute Gabriel Jesus ensured it was a memorable night for the Gunners when he curled in from the edge of the area before Ollie Watkins tapped in from close range in stoppage time to give Aston Villa a consolation goal.

    Villa came into this game on an 11-match winning streak which included a 2-1 victory over the Gunners 24 days ago, but despite starting the game well and going close through Ollie Watkins could not find a way to go ahead.

    Unai Emery’s side, who were without Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara through suspension, came with a clear gameplan to slow the tempo of the match down and tried to frustrate Arsenal, but could not deny Mikel Arteta’s side an impressive win.

    The victory ends an excellent year for the Gunners who have lost just twice in the league this season, and move five points clear before second-placed Manchester City’s match at Sunderland on New Year’s Day (20:00 GMT).

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    Arsenal’s thrashing of Aston Villa means the Gunners end the year five points clear of their rivals, with their supporters hoping this will be the season they end their 22-year wait for a Premier League title.

    Aston Villa arrived at the Emirates with the chance of drawing level on points with the Gunners if they were able to beat Arteta’s side, but the hosts showed why they are many people’s favourites to win the league.

    Throughout December Arsenal have not been at their best, but as is the mark of potential champions, they have found a way to win.

    Injuries to key players have meant that Arteta has had to be creative at times with his selections – in this match he was without Declan Rice who was ruled out with a knock.

    However, he could call on arguably Arsenal’s most important player in Gabriel, whose presence in defence brings calmness to the Gunners’ backline and his threat from set-pieces is a crucial weapon.

    Gabriel was starting with William Saliba at centre-back in the Premier League for the first time since 8 November, and Arsenal have won all five league matches this season when both have played the full game.

    Arsenal have finished second for three successive seasons, but with the experience they have from those title challenges and players returning from injury, 2026 could be a memorable year in north London.

    BBC

  • EPL: Buendia scores in last minute as Villa beat Arsenal

    EPL: Buendia scores in last minute as Villa beat Arsenal

    Emi Buendia scored with the last kick of the game as Aston Villa stunned Arsenal to move three points behind the Premier League leaders.

    Leandro Trossard’s sixth goal of the season looked to have earned a point for Arsenal after he cancelled out Matty Cash’s opener.

    But Buendia struck in the 95th minute as Unai Emery’s side moved into second in the table.

    Arsenal, who blew Bayern Munich and Tottenham away last month, suffered their first defeat in the league since losing 1-0 at Liverpool in August.

    Villa Park erupted after substitute Buendia scored to give Villa their seventh straight game in all competitions.

    Eberechi Eze had a goal disallowed for offside before the hosts took a first-half lead when Arsenal – especially Eze – switched off to allow Cash to drill in at the far post.

    Arsenal emerged re-energised after the break when Mikel Arteta introduced Viktor Gyokeres and Trossard, who levelled with his 50th Premier League goal, having already gone close.

    Emi Martinez brilliantly tipped Martin Odegaard’s shot over as Arsenal looked for a winner, but Buendia stole the points in dramatic style, curling in after Arsenal failed to clear.

    BBC

  • EPL: Rogers, Buendía fire Aston Villa to comeback win over Spurs

    EPL: Rogers, Buendía fire Aston Villa to comeback win over Spurs

    Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Buendía found the net as Aston Villa came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday’s Premier League clash.

    Spurs took an early lead just five minutes in, following a slick team move that saw Joao Palhinha nod the ball down for Rodrigo Bentancur, who finished with a crisp half-volley.

    Villa responded through Rogers, who unleashed a stunning long-range strike that left goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario with no chance, leveling the match at 1-1.

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    Buendía, introduced in the second half, sealed the win with a composed, curling finish into the bottom-left corner to complete the comeback.

    Despite late pressure from Tottenham, Villa held firm to secure all three points.

  • Villa maintain momentum with hard-fought 2–1 win over Burnley

    Villa maintain momentum with hard-fought 2–1 win over Burnley

    Donyell Malen scored twice as Aston Villa stretched their winning run to four matches in all competitions with victory over struggling Burnley.

    Having created several early opportunities to take the lead at Villa Park, Unai Emery’s side eventually got their noses in front when Boubacar Kamara’s defence-splitting pass released Malen, who found the bottom corner.

    It was the Dutchman’s first goal of the season, having last netted at Southampton in April.

    Returning Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who pulled out of Thursday’s 2-0 Europa League win over Feyenoord with a calf problem, produced a marvellous one-handed save to tip Josh Cullen’s low shot away as Burnley sought a reply.

    Villa remained on top, though, and felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Morgan Rogers went to ground under the challenge of Axel Tuanzebe, but referee Andrew Kitchen waved away protests for a pull on the England midfielder.

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    The second half was a more subdued affair, but the hosts deservedly doubled their advantage in the 63rd minute when Malen – who was about to be taken off – slammed Rogers’ pass into the far corner for his second of the afternoon.

    Lesley Ugochukwu nodded home his first Burnley goal to reduce the arrears with 12 minutes left, but Emery’s men held on to clinch back-to-back league successes after their winless start to the campaign.

    Villa are in 13th spot, while Scott Parker’s side are third from bottom after a fifth game without a league victory.

  • Mixed fortunes for British clubs as Villa win in Europa League

    Mixed fortunes for British clubs as Villa win in Europa League

    Aston Villa won 2-0 at Feyenoord in the Europa League on Thursday but Nottingham Forest lost at home to Danish side Midtjylland as Rangers and Celtic also suffered defeats.

    Emi Buendia curled in from 20 yards and John McGinn swept in a second goal in Rotterdam as Villa made a winning return to the scene of their 1982 European Cup triumph.

    Villa failed to win any of their first six games of the season but Unai Emery’s side have since reeled off three successive victories and are among seven teams on a maximum six points in the Europa League.

    Marco Bizot produced some key saves in the Villa goal after being thrust into the line-up as a late replacement for Emiliano Martinez, who reportedly injured his calf.

     “It has been difficult in the beginning of the season but we never lost the faith and hope,” Bizot told TNT Sports. “We still have the spirit, even when it was not that great at the beginning. Now, hopefully, we can keep this up.”

    Read Also: EPL: Dominic Solanke scores twice as Tottenham beat Aston Villa from behind

    Forest paid the price for sloppy defending at set-pieces as Midtjylland won 3-2 at the City Ground to leave new manager Ange Postecoglou still searching for his first win.

    Defenders Ousmane Diao and Mads Bech scored either side of Dan Ndoye’s goal as Midtjylland punished Forest for failing to deal with a free-kick and a corner.

    Valdemar Andreasen netted the decisive goal two minutes from time as Chris Wood pulled one back for Forest from the spot in stoppage time.

     “Really disappointing. Just really, really poor goals we conceded in the first half,” said Postecoglou.

     “Story of our last few games – key moments let us down.”

    Forest are playing in Europe for the first time in 30 years and have just one point so far after a 2-2 draw away to Real Betis in their opening fixture.

    Rangers’ miserable start to the season under beleaguered manager Russell Martin continued as they lost 2-1 away to Austrian side Sturm Graz.

    Tomi Horvat gave the hosts an early lead and Otar Kiteishvili doubled it as Rangers completely switched off and conceded from a free-kick.

    Djeidi Gassama halved the deficit but it was another dismal night for Rangers, who remain without a point in Europe.

     “You can’t start that poorly,” said Martin. “The mentality is the problem.”

    Their humiliating 9-1 aggregate thrashing in Champions League qualifying by Club Brugge was followed by a tame 1-0 home loss to Genk in their Europa League opener.

    Rangers are also struggling badly in Scotland where they are eighth in the 12-team table.

     “It’s an interesting time (to be Rangers manager), it’s a frustrating time,” added Martin.

    Celtic slumped to a 2-0 loss at home to Braga and are just a point better off than their Glasgow rivals in the Europa League.

    The Scottish champions fell behind at Parkhead to a dipping long-range strike from Ricardo Horta that beat goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel far too easily.

    Kelechi Iheanacho had an equaliser controversially ruled out early in the second half after a VAR review for a supposed handball.

    But Celtic’s hopes of salvaging a result were dashed when substitute Gabri Martinez scored a scrappy late second goal for the Portuguese visitors.

    Celtic have failed to score in five of their 12 games in all competitions this season, which included a pair of goalless draws against Kairat Almaty in the Champions League play-offs.

    The Kazakh side won that tie on penalties to condemn Celtic to a place in the Europa League.

     “Whatever it is, I need to find the solution to it,” said Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers.

     “There’s been too many games now where we haven’t scored for a team that, last season, scored the most goals in the last 54 years in the club’s history.

     “It’s my responsibility to find the solutions to that.”

    Porto, Lyon and Lille all won to maintain their perfect starts, while Basel, Real Betis and Fenerbahce bounced back from opening losses.

  • Bailey joins Roma on season-long loan from Villa

    Bailey joins Roma on season-long loan from Villa

    Leon Bailey has completed a loan move from Aston Villa to Italian club Roma.

    The Jamaica winger has joined the Italian side for the 2025-26 season and the deal includes an option to buy.

    The 28-year-old made a £25m move to Villa from German club Bayer Leverkusen in 2021 and went on to score 22 goals in 144 appearances.

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    Bailey claimed a career-high 14 goals in 52 games in all competitions in the 2023-24 season, but he scored just twice in 38 games last term.

    He signed a new contract with Villa in February 2024 that runs until 2027.

    BBC

  • EPL: Aston Villa beat Southampton 3- 0 at St. Mary’s Stadium

    EPL: Aston Villa beat Southampton 3- 0 at St. Mary’s Stadium

    Aston Villa cruised to a comfortable 3–0 victory over Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium in their latest English Premier League clash.

    Second-half substitute Ollie Watkins was on target as Aston Villa boosted their hopes of securing a second consecutive season of Champions League football with victory over already-relegated Southampton.

    Watkins, who had come on for Marcus Rashford midway through the half, broke the deadlock seven minutes later when he met Youri Tielemans’ exquisite pass with a first-time effort which struck the underside of the crossbar on its way in.

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    Just three minutes earlier, Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale had denied Marco Asensio from the penalty spot after Watkins had gone to ground under Jan Bednarek’s rash challenge.

    Donyell Malen’s third goal in as many league games made it 2-0 before Ramsdale saved another Asensio penalty in added time – only for John McGinn to slot home the rebound and put the seal on a comfortable victory for Unai Emery’s side.

    Southampton’s Cameron Archer had the best chance of the first half when he shot straight at Emiliano Martinez after running on to Kyle Walker-Peters’ pass, but it proved to be Saints’ only clear-cut opening of the match.

    The victory lifts Villa up to fifth in the table, while Southampton remain on 10 points.

    BBC

  • EPL: Aston Villa beat Fulham 3-1 at Craven Cottage

    EPL: Aston Villa beat Fulham 3-1 at Craven Cottage

    Ollie Watkins scored his fifth Premier League goal of the campaign to help Aston Villa continue their fine start to the season with victory over Fulham as both sides were reduced to 10 men.

    Fulham took the lead when a long punt from Bernd Leno was chased down by Raul Jimenez and he won a tussle with last man Pau Torres before striking a left-footed shot low into the corner of the net.

    Villa got themselves back on level terms four minutes later when a 20-yard shot from Morgan Rogers took a big deflection off Calvin Bassey and wrong-footed Leno.

    Fulham were awarded a penalty shortly before the half-hour mark after Matty Cash was deemed to have blocked a Jimenez header back across goal – but Andreas Pereira’s tame low effort was saved by Emiliano Martinez.

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    Villa seized the initiative on the hour when England striker Watkins peeled away from Emile Smith Rowe and powerfully headed in a Youri Tielemans corner.

    Fulham’s afternoon from that point only went from bad to worse as defender Joachim Andersen was sent off for dragging down Watkins before Issa Diop clumsily turned a low cross from Lucas Digne into his own net.

    The only sour note for Villa was the dismissal of substitute Jaden Philogene, who was sent off for a second yellow card after he fouled Reiss Nelson in injury time.

    Villa’s victory lifted them up to fifth in the table and gave them their best start to a Premier League campaign after eight games since 1998-99.

    BBC Sports

  • Champions League: Villa shock Bayern via Duran’s superb late strike

    Champions League: Villa shock Bayern via Duran’s superb late strike

    Aston Villa beat Bayern Munich 1-0 in the Champions League thanks to a brilliant late Jhon Duran goal as the hosts celebrated in style their first home game in Europe’s elite club competition for 41 years.

    With the Germans dominating possession but squandering chances, Duran ran onto a high ball in the 79th minute, spotted goalkeeper Manuel Neuer off his line, and scooped the ball over him to send Villa Park into delirium.

    It was Duran’s fifth goal as a substitute this season.

    The win was a throwback to one of Villa’s most glorious days when they beat Bayern to lift the European Cup in 1982.

    Duran’s goal came against the run of play as Bayern enjoyed two thirds of possession and the best chances but found Villa’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez at his best.

    In the first half, the Argentine saved a Harry Kane bullet header brilliantly, though the striker was later ruled offside, then tipped over a shot from Michael Olise.

    At the death, with Bayern pressing for an equaliser, Martinez dived athletically to stop a goal-bound Kane header.

    “It’s unreal. It’s a night that we will remember for a long time. It’s a statement,” Martinez said, praising the atmosphere. “It was hurting my ears. This is a club that’s moving forward. I love playing here. I love the fans.”

    The result gave Villa two wins out of two in the new 36-team league phase of the Champions League, while Bayern have begun their campaign with a win and a defeat.

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    Before Duran’s match winner, Villa thought they had taken the lead and made Bayern pay for missed chances in the first half when Pau Torres stabbed home during a melee in front of goal. But his effort was ruled out for an earlier offside by teammate Jacob Ramsey.

    Serge Gnabry also blazed over when through on goal with Kane waiting in space for a pass and easy chance.

    Champions League Results

    Girona 2-3Feyenoord

    Shakhtar 0-3Atalanta     

    Aston Villa 1-0 Bayern

    Benfica 4-0 Atletico

    D. Zagreb 2-2 Monaco   

    Lille 1-0 Real Madrid      

    Liverpool 2-0 Bologna

    Leipzig  2-3 Juventus     

    Sturm Graz 0-1 Brugge