Eddie Howe's Newcastle United make it three wins in three for the first time since 2018 as they move 4 points clear of the relegation Zone. It was another Kieran Trippier free-kick was the difference between the two sides at St James Park.  

A tale of two halves

Newcastle started the game just as they had in the second half against Everton. The entire team working as a unit both with and without the ball.

Their midfield three put in a lot of work both with the ball in making advanced runs into the box and out wide but also without the ball, being a key part of Eddie Howe's pressing game. 

This positive play helped The Magpies to have the much better chances in the first half.

But it was that man Kieran Trippier again to break the deadlock. 

After a lengthy VAR check which ruled the foul on Joe Willock outside the box. Trippier stepped up and wrapped his foot around the ball, Curling it around the wall, and with a helping hand from Emi Buendia's knee.

Going into the break it was a lead that on the balance of play Newcastle deserved.

But in the early knockings of the second half it was clear that Steven Gerrard had breathed some life back into his players. 

And after Newcastle stand-in captain Kieran Trippier had to come off injured, The Villains looked to get back into the game. 

Aston Villa were very unlucky not to get back into the game and might feel they should of after Ollie Watkins was judged to be narrowly offside by VAR after heading home from close range. 

VAR... again

It seems that we cannot have a Premier League weekend without some VAR controversy. And this game was no different.

In the first half Joe Willock was running into the Aston Villa box when he was brought down by debutant Callum Chambers. 

After a long VAR check it was deemed to be outside the box and a freekick awarded. Although this might not of mattered so much as Trippier stepped up and managed to find the back of the net for the second time in 2 games. 

However it was the second VAR decision that caused the most debate online. 

Ollie Watkins fires home with a header from close range and appears to get Villa back into the game. However VAR want to check it as he appears to be close to being offside.

After much communication and assessment between referee Craig Pawson and VAR back at Stockley Park, it was deemed to be offside...just. 

Villa fans were outraged that it was offside. Some quoting the Premier League saying that there would be 'thicker lines' when looking at close decisions such as this one.

Debut day delight

Boyhood Toon fan Dan Burn made his debut today after his £13m move from Brighton this January. And what an impact he made!

Newcastle have been leaking goals way to often this season meaning they are struggling to see out games and have dropped 21 points from winning positions so far this season, the most in the division. 

However that was not the case today being able to defend their 1-0 lead even after Villa put them under some immense pressure, and slot of that can be put down to Burn.

Burn put in an outstanding performance at the back winning 100% of his areal duels as well as stopping anything that came his way. 

Not only did he put out a great individual performance, but he also helped with organisation. 

He was clearly the man who was leading the back line, when to step and when to drop. He also had some great communication with his centre back partner Fabian Schar. 

He was able to instruct Schar when to push up and bring the ball out of the back and try and drive at Villa but also when to stay and sit in and allow the full backs to push forwards.

Organisation is something that Newcastle have been lacking in recent times and with both Burn and Trippier being vocal, intelligent players not in their backline, it is a problem that the Geordies may be seeing the back of.