Six minutes. One new Geordie hero. Sandro Tonali.
That’s how long it took for him to introduce himself to the St James’ Park crowd as he volleyed in an Anthony Gordon cross to give Newcastle an early lead. His wonderful introduction to his new home could have got even better a minute later as he was denied by Emi Martinez after a one on one.
It’s difficult to know how a player will cope moving from Milan to Newcastle, especially a young man who has spent his entire life in northern Italy. But on this showing, he will go down a storm on Tyneside.
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But he wasn’t the only new hero who made a name for himself in the late kick-off. Moussa Diaby, signed from Bayer Leverkusen, levelled the scores soon after with a wonderful finish of his own from inside the box. He was a threat throughout and will be crucial this season if Aston Villa are to push for the European places.
This was an early clash of two teams who will be looking to disrupt the big six this season. Newcastle United have already done so, finishing fourth last term, but Villa under Unai Emery for a full season look like genuine contenders. Of course the big six have strengthened hugely, but these two teams will be there or thereabouts.
In the end the difference maker wasn’t a new boy though, it was a striker with a point to prove. Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson shared the number nine duties last term but it felt like a season to settle in for the Swedish international. Now given the responsibility by Eddie Howe, he delivered with a brace that got Newcastle off to a winning start.
His first was a simple finish after Sven Botman got on the end of a set piece to cut the ball back for him, but his second to kill the game off was a wonderful finish. He capitalised on an error from Ezri Konsa and scooped the ball over Martinez into the far corner. He could have completed his hat-trick before being withdrawn but he was denied by the World Cup winner, but Howe will be incredibly pleased with a striker who looks to have found an extra yard over the summer.
The loss was disappointing for Aston Villa, but more concerning was the serious injury Tyrone Mings suffered. He went down in a heap with a possible knee issue and was stretchered off in agony as Pau Torres came on in his place. It could be a repeat of the ACL injuries that have stained his career, and if it is that serious, Villa will be without an influential figure for the majority of the season.
Two substitutes combined for Newcastle to add some gloss to the scoreline as Harvey Barnes fed Callum Wilson who added a fourth with a tidy finish from close range. The competition between the two is still alive and well, and Newcastle’s number nine won’t want to give up his place that easily. The former Leicester man then made it five late on as he raced through to get his first goal in the black and white stripes.
This was a statement from Newcastle. Many think they may struggle to match the performance of last season given they are now in the Champions League and the other sides around them have strengthened. But given the way they put a fancied Villa side to the sword on the opening day, perhaps the Magpies can back up their remarkable 2022/23 season.
