Jermaine Jenas says Ryan Fraser epitomised Newcastle against Aston Villa

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Jermaine Jenas has waxed lyrical about Ryan Fraser’s work rate in Newcastle United’s win against Aston Villa.

The Magpies beat Steven Gerrard’s side 1-0 on Sunday thanks to yet another Kieran Trippier free kick.

It wasn’t a vintage performance by Eddie Howe’s men, but they dug in deep to grind out a vital victory. It was Newcastle’s third Premier League triumph in a row – something they hadn’t done since Rafa Benitez was in charge in 2018.

But Newcastle battled for the three points on Sunday, with multiple players digging in and doing the hard yards in a game with limited chances.

And one player who has been heavily praised is Fraser.

Jermaine Jenas loved Ryan Fraser’s performance against Aston Villa

Former Magpies midfielder Jenas was on punditry duty on Match of the Day 2 last night, and raved about the Scotland international’s performance.

“What I loved about Newcastle today, and I think Eddie Howe mentioned it there, the grit and the determination in their performance,” Jenas said.

“And a player that I thought epitomised that was Ryan Fraser.

“He’s started the last seven games, and you can see it in his play – he’s getting fitter, he’s getting stronger.”

Jenas went on to add: “This side to his game I loved. That willingness to get back, to run, set his team on the attack. There were times he did things in the game, and it lifted the crowd.”

Fraser has turned the corner in a Newcastle shirt

For a long time, the ex-Bournemouth winger was struggling at St James’ Park. But since Howe has arrived, everything has changed.

Fraser is an influential player, both in and out of possession. His work rate in recent weeks has been sensational, digging in and setting the tempo with his intense pressing.

And, as Jenas says, you can see that he’s getting fitter. That was his big issue when Steve Bruce was in charge. He never got a proper run in the team, with fitness and tactics leaving him out in the cold.

But now he’s a key player, and a mainstay in the Magpies’ starting XI.

He was excellent against Villa, just like he was during the week in the win over Everton.

Fraser is starting to look like the player he was at Bournemouth. And it’s not just his work rate that is improving – his performance on the ball is starting to cause real problems for opponents.

He’s getting into dangerous positions and getting balls into the box. He’s finally influencing the game, and Howe will be delighted with the 27-year-old’s improvement.