Newcastle 1 - Aston Villa 1: Ayew stunner snatches a point to frustrate Magpies

Ayew scoring Villa's spectacular equaliser against Newcastle at a very wet St James' Park

 

NEWCASTLE’S hopes of a third victory on the trot sunk at a rain-sodden St James’ Park last night.

 

Their clash with bottom side Aston Villa was in danger of being abandoned as the rain hammered down relentlessly and players splashed around the pitch.

After high-profile wins against Tottenham and Liverpool, this was two points dropped for Toon boss Steve McClaren.

Jordan Ayew’s superb second-half goal earned a point for struggling Villa, who remain 10 points from safety, after Fabricio Coloccini had given Newcastle a first-half lead.

 

McClaren admitted: “I’d say that was a battling point and two points lost. 

“I just saw three clear-cut chances. I’m proud of the players – they kept going forward and forward. 

“There were two good chances for Gini Wijnaldum and Ayoze Perez. Another day and you take those chances. They were difficult, difficult conditions. 

 

“Anybody can beat anybody in the league. I said before the match this was a dangerous game. We might not win every game but we’ve made huge steps forward.” 

Villa boss Remi Garde said: “There’s a lack of confidence. But it’s better to react late than not to react.”