Aston Villas Championship Push Hampered by Everton Defeat Newcastle Draws Against Wolves
Aston Villas Premier League title aspirations took a significant setback with a 1-0 loss to Everton whereas Newcastles efforts to reach the top four were stalled by a goalless stalemate away to Wolves on Sunday.
Unai Emerys team had the opportunity to narrow the gap to leaders Arsenal to just four points had they overcome Everton at Villa Park.
However they squandered the prospect of ramping up the pressure on the Gunners delivering a lacklustre display that was capitalised upon by Thierno Barrys goal in the second half.
Following Arsenals 0-0 result versus Nottingham Forest on Saturday Mikel Artetas squad now holds a seven-point lead over Villa in third position.
Manchester City in second place trails the leaders by seven points after their 2-0 reverse at Manchester United on Saturday.
Arsenal is pursuing its first English league crown since 2004 and the recent slips by City and Villa have solidified their hold on the championship contest.
Compounding Villas difficulties captain John McGinn was forced off in the first half due to an injury.
Villa had previously triumphed in 11 consecutive home fixtures across all competitions.
Yet Evertons Merlin Rohl almost disrupted that streak after merely 11 seconds exploiting poor defending to strike the post.
Even though a lifelong Villa supporter Everton forward Jack Grealish faced loud boos upon returning to his old club.
Grealish came close to quieting the crowd with a volley aimed at goal that Evann Guessand deflected away.
Evertons Jake OBrien nodded in from a corner but the goal was ruled out for offside involving Harrison Armstrong.
Villa threatened right before the interval as Youri Tielemanss delivery found Guessand who lofted a header over the bar.
Nevertheless Emerys players showed little sharpness upfront and they suffered for it on the 59th minute.
Newcastle left disappointed
It proved a chaotic concession when Pau Torres rashly lost the ball near his own penalty area.
Dwight McNeil seized the moment firing a shot that Emiliano Martinez parried to Barry who then lobbed the ball into the net from near range marking his third strike in five outings.
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford secured Evertons success with a superb save to deflect Morgan Rogerss curling effort over the bar leaving Villa with just one victory in their past four league matches.
At a weather-beaten Molineux Eddie Howes Newcastle side could not break down the Wolves backline allowing two valuable points to escape.
Victories against Burnley Crystal Palace and Leeds had strengthened their campaign for a Champions League spot next season.
However the Magpies remain mired in eighth after struggling to defeat the league bottom-dwellers Wolves.
In the wake of their lacklustre 2-0 home loss to Manchester City in the League Cup semi-final opener on Tuesday it marked yet another underwhelming outcome for Newcastle.
We required greater endeavour up front. I anticipated a stronger showing and more chances created Howe remarked post-match noting Newcastle managed only one effort on target in 85 minutes.
Football can be an unpredictable sport. We netted four versus Leeds appearing prolific yet today we faltered.
Nick Woltemade has now endured a seven-match drought without goals netting only twice across 13 games after missing two solid header opportunities.
Facing vital clashes with top-four hopefuls Aston Villa and Liverpool before months end Howes team needs to swiftly regain momentum.
Wolves have now avoided defeat in four straight league outings but continue to languish 14 points adrift of survival.