LONDON — Johan Manzambi scored the only goal of the game as Aston Villa clinched a 1-0 win over Newcastle at St James’ Park.
An end-to-end first half saw the visitors go ahead through Manzambi, who had looked set to join the Magpies over the summer before Villa swooped in to sign him.
Newcastle had opportunities to level through Sven Botman and Yoane Wissa after the break, but Manzambi’s header proved to be the difference and takes his tally to two Premier League goals this season.
Victory lifts Villa into 12th in the table, while the Tynesiders slip to back-to-back league defeats, PA Media reported.
Newcastle made one switch from Monday’s 4-1 loss to Coventry as Joelinton made his first start of the season and skippered the side, while Unai Emery made four changes from their midweek Champions League win over Fenerbahce, including a first start for Alysson.
A lively start saw Victor Lindelof make an important block to stop Joe Willock getting the ball and the Villa defence made another intervention to smother Harvey Barnes’ attempt on the edge of the area.
Alysson broke from a Newcastle corner and flicked a through ball into Nicolas Jackson, but Lukas Hornicek made a comfortable save from the striker’s tame attempt.
Jackson was played through again and Lewis Hall was able to recover for Newcastle before Willock fired into the sidenetting for the hosts.
Joelinton and Botman were booked in quick succession for heavy challenges, with Botman’s checked by VAR for a possible red card before the original decision was upheld.
A feisty encounter resulted in Villa also having two yellows dished out within minutes of each other to Joao Gomes and Alysson, and they then had a promising opportunity when Manzambi played Jackson through but the striker’s effort was deflected behind.
Wissa flicked an attempt over the crossbar before Villa eventually broke the deadlock in the 36th minute.
Gomes edged towards the box and curled a cross into Manzambi, who nodded past Hornicek, despite the goalkeeper managing to get a fingertip to the ball.
Moments later, Emiliano Buendia hit the post from a break as Villa took charge towards the end of the half.
Villa skipper John McGinn was introduced at the start of the second half and Newcastle enjoyed a bright start, going close when Botman’s vicious shot was brilliantly clawed away by Zion Suzuki.
Matthias Jaissle made a double substitution in the 56th minute, with Bazoumana Toure and Will Osula both introduced as Newcastle pressed for an equaliser.
Wissa nodded over from Lewis Miley’s cross and the teenager looked to create again with a delivery into Osula.
Matty Cash smashed a powerful effort over the bar from distance for Villa but the hosts continued to hold the bulk of possession.
Villa nearly doubled their advantage when substitute Ross Barkley was denied by a low save from Hornicek.
Another opportunity for the hosts saw Joelinton play into Wissa and the forward skewed his effort wide before Ibrahim Mbaye went close at the opposite end, lofting a strike over the bar.
A late surge from Newcastle saw Wissa blast wide from a break and Osula nod over. Villa then had a chance to wrap up three points but Mbaye rolled the ball narrowly past the post.
