Aston Play The Villans But VAR Can’t Be Blamed For Newcastle Defeat – Match Stats

Following on from the hugely disappointing defensive collapse against Leeds United, Aston Villa were looking to get back to winning ways in today’s clash with Newcastle United.

Travelling up to St James Park for our Sunday afternoon Premier League clash the only real change of note was January signing Calum Chambers coming in for Ezri Konsa, but despite being slightly the better team on the day in terms of overall chances (we won’t talk about the performance), the hosts helped themselves to the lead in the 35th minute through a Kieran Trippier effect – and that was exactly how it stayed as we frustratingly ticked past the hour mark.

And then it changed – well almost.

In the 61st minute Ollie Watkins capitalised on a defensive error to put the ball in the back of the net, but the corruption that we otherwise know as VAR clearly felt it was missing out on something, so it decided to spend a few minutes finding at best a hairline offside from Ollie – despite the fact the ball actually came off a Newcastle player.

1-0 it stayed and we won’t talk about the refereeing decisions either.

Ultimately, only the players can be blamed after a showing like that and the questions around Steven Gerrard will continue to grow after another set of late and ineffective substitutes.

Meh.