Unai Emery makes ‘strong’ Newcastle United claim after beating Aston Villa 5-1

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery says Newcastle United are ‘strong at home’ and ‘deserved’ to emerge as 5-1 winners on the opening day of the Premier League season.

Eddie Howe’s side went into half-time with a narrow 2-1 lead after goals from Sandro Tonali and Alexander Isak cancelled out Moussa Diaby’s equaliser.

The game remained on a knife edge until Isak added his second and United’s third on the hour-mark.

Not long after, Howe introduced both Harvey Barnes and Callum Wilson from the bench, both of whom got on the scoresheet with Barnes also registering an assist.

Speaking after the game, Emery said: “Newcastle are strong at home and they started winning and when we were in the match and we score the goal and we had good chances with Ollie [Watkins].

“In the second half we tried to change and tried to control the match but when they scored the third goal the match was finished. But Newcastle deserved in 90 minutes to win and then we had some momentums that were good but it wasn’t enough today.

“We are going to try to analyse everything and focus on the next match. We will try to understand why we lost but Newcastle were good, they are strong at home and they won.”

The result saw Newcastle avenge their 3-0 hammering at Villa Park in April.

Emery added: “Of course, each match is different. I always try to keep clean sheets as a way to win. We did that last year but it is a new year and we played today the power was big and we have to react.

“The worst today is the injured player [Tyrone Mings] and only when we analyse and try to review the mistakes we did today but it is three points and we have the next match at home.”

United travel to Premier League champions Manchester City next Saturday (kick-off 8pm) while Villa host Everton on Sunday.