Don’t let truth get in the way of a good story – Alexander Isak at Villa Park

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The Mag

·17 de agosto de 2025

Don’t let truth get in the way of a good story – Alexander Isak at Villa Park

Alexander Isak was the main topic of conversation once again on Saturday at Villa Park.

The narrative totally distorted though.

Vídeos OneFootball

Don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story.

The media (and many Newcastle United fans) desperate to push the idea that if only Alexander Isak had been on the pitch on Saturday, United would have won for sure.

Nobody knows what would have happened if Alexander Isak, or indeed any other alternative player, had been playing instead at Villa Park, for better or worse.

It was a great result and an even better performance, especially in the circumstances. Very important Newcastle didn’t lose, for all kinds of reasons.

There is though this narrative of wanting to devalue this excellent performance and make it only about not taking the many chances that were created. Rather than crediting the forward trio and those behind them for the overall play and creativity.

If Alexander Isak would have made the difference for sure on Saturday, why didn’t he on previous visits to Villa Park. Isak has never scored away at Aston Villa in his three years at the club and was totally anonymous in April when United offered next to no attacking threat, when Schar scored in the 4-1 defeat. Whilst Alexander Isak wasn’t great either the previous season, Newcastle won 3-1 at Villa Park but that was down to two goals from Schar and an own goal.

This isn’t having a go at Alexander Isak (plenty of other reasons at the minute though!), it is more about how ridiculous the narrative has become.

Alexander Isak is a quality striker who isn’t currently playing for Newcastle United BUT this club and team are about more than just him.

Aston Villa haven’t lost at home in the Premier League since losing to Arsenal in the first home game last season in August 2024.

Aston Villa have lost only four of their last 45 Premier League home matches including that 3-1 to NUFC in January 2024.

To go there on Saturday and be by far the better team is a great effort.

Everybody wants to say how poor Villa were.

The reality is that Newcastle were so good in that first half yesterday, they didn’t allow Aston Villa to get going. Remember last season, when (with Alexander Isak!) United were dominated by Villa from the very start of the match, with the commitment shown by all the team yesterday, with defensive work starting from the very front, that was never going to happen.

Even when Villa came out for the second half and had a bit of a go, they got nowhere due to the defensive discipline of this entire UNITED eleven.

Yes, Newcastle United are better with a fully fit, fully focuses, fully committed Alexander Isak in their team.

However, yesterday was an excellent Newcastle United team performance without him, that got a great result and could and should have been three points if taking some of the chances created.

This is one of the toughest matches of the season for Newcastle, coming to Villa Park.

Anybody who tries to devalue how United played on Saturday is badly mistaken.

Aston Villa 0 Newcastle 0 – Saturday 16 August 2025 12.30pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Villa

Konsa red card 66

(Stats in brackets are at half-time)

Possession was Newcastle 59% (58%) Villa 41% (42%)

Total shots were Newcastle 16 (8) Villa 3 (0)

Shots on target were Newcastle 3 (2) Villa 3 (0)

Corners were Newcastle 6 (3) Villa 3 (2)