Shay Given believes one Newcastle United player still managed to do some ‘great’ things despite the team being hammered by Aston Villa.
Newcastle United crashed back down to Earth from what was beginning to feel like an endless high on Saturday evening when they were battered 4-1 by Aston Villa.
Things couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start as Ollie Watkins’ deflected effort trickled in after just 35 seconds.
The wind was in Aston Villa’s sails but Newcastle did well to level things up when Fabian Schar nodded in Harvey Barnes’ great cross.
Both sides were on equal footing deep into the match but Unai Emery’s well-timed substitutions made all the difference.
Ian Maatsen fired his side back in front before a quickfire double from a Dan Burn own-goal and a thunderous Amadou Onana strike sealed the match.
Newcastle were miles away from their blistering best but Shay Given believes Nick Pope’s performance was one positive.
Shay Given hails Nick Pope’s ‘great’ saves
Speaking to the Premier League, former Newcastle goalkeeper Given said: “The better team won, that’s the easy answer.
“Hitting the post that many times, Nick Pope made some great saves, and Villa were the much better team and deserved the three points. From the Newcastle point of view, maybe they could have freshened things up.
“I know you don’t change a winning team, but Villa had 24 hours’ extra rest. But take nothing away from Villa, they know they’re in with a chance, the table shows that.
“The race for the Champions League is bang on.”
Nick Pope stats in Aston Villa defeat
Pope came in for criticism in mid-week when he foolishly gave away a penalty against Crystal Palace, even if he did make amends by saving Eberechi Eze’s tame spot-kick.
He might have conceded four goals at Villa Park but none of them can be blamed on Pope this time, as he was deceived by two cruel deflections and had two incredibly hard shots blasted past him.
There was one worrying spill when he collided with Watkins early on but he made six saves in the match and claimed four crosses.
It wasn’t Pope who let Newcastle down, but Kieran Trippier had a tough evening.
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