Shaka Hislop says 28-year-old Newcastle man was so effective against Aston Villa last night

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Shaka Hislop was particularly impressed with one Newcastle United player after thier 3-1 win over Aston Villa yesterday.

It was a brilliant team performance from Newcastle who nullified Villa’s best players from minute one and used their high press so effectively to put them under pressure all game.

Hislop was speaking on ESPN FC where he claimed that Jacob Murphy was a particular highlight for Newcastle having used his pace to great effect to counter Villa.

Hislop identifies three key Newcastle players vs Villa

Everyone looked to be on the same page last night and worked so well as a unit to overcome one of the best teams in the Premier League this season who were only five points behind Liverpool coming into the game.

While Newcastle did score their first two goals from set pieces with Fabian Schar in the right place at the right time, it was their counter attacking that proved very effective throughout the game.

Anthony Gordon, Miguel Almiron and Murphy were constantly running at that Villa back line causing them all kinds of problems and Hislop thought the Newcastle trio were key to the victory.

But it was the 28-year-old winger who Hislop singled out as being the most impressive with his constant running all night despite only making his return from a three-month injury against on Saturday.

Hislop on Murphy: “Newcastle are playing with confidence and as I mentioned, the opening two goals come from set pieces.

“I thought Newcastle were really bright. Gordon, Almiron, Murphy just continues to shine so brightly in terms of Newcastle on the counter-attack and playing and pressing high up and with pace.”

Newcastle need to keep this energy up

It’s been the story of Newcastle’s season so far, they were so good and so intense for around 60 minutes in every game but would see a massive drop off in the final half an hour which led to big mistakes in the final moments.

But against Aston Villa they were able to maintain their intensity and high energy levels throughout the full 90 minutes and secured a big three points.

To have any kind of hope of finishing in a top four or five position and possibly sneak back into the Champions League, they’re going to have to keep that energy for the rest of the season.

The fortunate thing for Eddie Howe is that players like Murphy and Almiron never seem to tire, with their determination driving them on through difficult in moments in so many games.