Johan Manzambi came close to joining Newcastle United in the summer. On Saturday he showed them what they missed. The Switzerland midfielder headed in the only goal as Aston Villa won 1-0 at St James' Park, stretching their unbeaten run to five games and leaving Newcastle's supporters booing at both half-time and full-time.
Manzambi's header settles a flat first half
Villa were the better side before the break and took the lead in the 36th minute, when Manzambi met Joao Gomes' cross with a header. Emiliano Buendia nearly doubled it, but his strike bounced off the left post with Lukas Hornicek well beaten. Nicolas Jackson also had an effort saved, and Matty Cash later found the side-netting. Newcastle, by contrast, did not manage a shot on target in the first half.
Matthias Jaissle's team responded at the start of the second half. Harvey Barnes curled an inviting cross just wide inside the first 40 seconds, and Sven Botman struck a well-hit shot on the turn that Zion Suzuki saved well. Yoane Wissa headed over and fired another chance wide. Even so, Villa limited Newcastle to a single shot on target all afternoon.
The Botman challenge and a bad week for Jaissle
Villa felt Botman should have been sent off earlier in the game for a challenge that went over the ball and caught Jackson on the ankle. Referee Jarred Gillett showed a yellow card, and after a video review for dangerous play, Botman stayed on the pitch. He was one of six Newcastle players booked, Joelinton among them in his first game as club captain in the Premier League. Jackson said afterwards that the tackle nearly broke his leg but called it part of football.
It has been a poor few days for Jaissle. His side lost 4-1 on Monday, with Botman among the scorers, and this was his first home defeat as Newcastle manager and the club's first loss at St James' Park since a 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth on 18 April. Newcastle sit 11th, with Villa 12th and behind only on goals scored.
Emery's 100th and a Villa revival
For Unai Emery it was a landmark, his 100th Premier League win. Villa finished fourth last season but took only one point from their first four league games of 2026-27. They have now collected seven points from their last three, progressed in the Carabao Cup and beaten Fenerbahce 6-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday, a game in which Manzambi also scored. Captain John McGinn did not start a league match for the first time this season, coming on at the beginning of the second half, and Villa were given two fewer days to prepare than their opponents.
Manzambi, who turned 21 on Wednesday, now has three goals for Villa since joining in a club-record deal of just over £50m from Freiburg. Ross Barkley forced a good save from Hornicek and Ibrahim Mbaye ran well before shooting wide, but one goal was all Villa needed.
Match facts: Newcastle United 0-1 Aston Villa, Premier League, St James' Park, Saturday 17 October 2026. Goal: Manzambi 36'. Booked: six Newcastle players including Botman and Joelinton. Villa unbeaten in five; Emery's 100th Premier League win.
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