Johan Manzambi header sinks Newcastle as Aston Villa win 1-0 at St James' Park
Manzambi strikes again to haunt his former suitors
Johan Manzambi came back to haunt Newcastle United as his first-half header was enough for Aston Villa to win 1-0 at St James' Park on Saturday night. The Switzerland international had agreed a deal to join the Magpies during the summer, only for a late move from Villa to take him to the Midlands instead.
He has impressed since making his debut. Manzambi scored in the Champions League against Fenerbahce in midweek, on his 21st birthday, and he nodded home the only goal of this game in the 36th minute, rising to meet João Gomes' cross from the right, with Newcastle keeper Lukáš Hornícek unable to keep the power of the effort out.
Botman escapes red card after VAR review
The contest was marked by a controversial moment before the goal. Sven Botman was initially shown a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Nicolas Jackson, and VAR reviewed it for serious foul play. However, the officials decided not to upgrade the booking and Botman stayed on the pitch. Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp said at half-time: "If VAR can't see that's a red, we're in trouble. It is so dangerous."
Botman later went close himself, with a thunderous strike pushed away by Zion Suzuki's fingertips in the second half.
Newcastle wasteful and booed off
Newcastle ended the first half with no shots on target and were loudly booed at half-time and at the final whistle. Emiliano Buendía struck the post in the first half, and Yoane Wissa headed over as the hosts grew increasingly desperate. Matías Fernández-Pardo was withdrawn in the 56th minute after another quiet afternoon, having had only two shots in five Premier League games this season.
Newcastle's record of 16 successive games without a clean sheet at home in all competitions is now the longest in the club's history. Their only shot on target in the second half came from Botman's effort, and they could not find an equaliser despite late pressure, with Wissa's final attempt drifting wide.
Villa climb level with Newcastle
Aston Villa were far from flawless in front of goal but looked much more like the side Unai Emery wants. Manzambi has now been directly involved in five goals in four starts for Villa in all competitions, scoring three and assisting two. He is just the fourth player to score or assist in each of his first three Premier League starts for the club, after Dalian Atkinson, Dion Dublin and Danny Ings.
The win was Villa's second successive Premier League away victory, the first time they have managed that since December 2025. Emery also reached 100 Premier League wins across spells with Arsenal and Villa, doing so in 197 games. The result sends Villa level on eight points with Newcastle, one place behind them in the table.