Unai Emery slammed ‘unfair’ decision even before Aston Villa thrashed Newcastle United

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Aston Villa put what looked like a tired Newcastle United side to the sword in the Premier League on Saturday. 

A rampant Villa thrashed Newcastle 4-1 to move only two points behind them in the Premier League, putting an end to Newcastle United‘s remarkable run of form since winning the Carabao Cup last month. 

While a heavy defeat to a Champions League rival is hardly welcome news, the context is important. 

That was their third game in a week and Jason Tindall only has a small squad from which to choose. Meanwhile, Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is recovering from pneumonia. 

Newcastle were thrashed at Villa Park in April 2023 but still managed to secure a top-four finish. Results like this can happen, there is no need for huge alarm.

Unai Emery’s side are brilliant at home and attacked Newcastle with a vengeance in the second-half. 

Even before the game, the Villa boss was sending a message. 

• READ MORE: What happened in the dressing room after Newcastle United lost to Aston Villa

Unai Emery’s slams “unfair” decision before thrashing Newcastle

On Boxing Day, Newcastle beat Villa 3-0 at St James’ Park. 

It was brilliant result from Howe’s side, though there was a big talking point to have emerged from it from Emery’s perspective.

Jhon Duran was sent off for a stamp on Fabian Schar. Emery was not happy about it at the time, while even Alan Shearer admitted Duran’s red card was “harsh”. 

Prior to Saturday’s game, Emery again referenced the “unfair” decision in his programme notes.

“We started there with an unfair red card,” he wrote.

“And hopefully the referee can have a good match with fair decisions for both teams.” 

Ollie Watkins sends message after Newcastle United result

Ollie Watkins opened the scoring in the first minute for Villa and later provided the assist from which Ian Maatsen scored the second.

The England forward had a brilliant game against Tindall’s side and even pointed out how he exploited Fabian Schar.

Watkins believes Schar played right into his hands, suggesting that the man-for-man marking really helped him get the better of the Swiss defender.  

That can happen. Watkins is a handful for anyone and it would be unwise to go too hard on any criticism of Schar.