MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 07:20:14| >> :120:11301:11301:
[monks data]
Newcastle logo
Premier League | Gameweek 31
Jun 24, 2020 at 6pm UK
St. James' Park
Aston Villa logo

Newcastle
1 - 1
Aston Villa

Gayle (68')
Lascelles (59'), Fernandez (74')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Elmohamady (83')
Luiz (45+1'), Hause (90')

Steve Bruce: 'I should have left Ahmed Elmohamady in Egypt'

Steve Bruce: 'I should have left Ahmed Elmohamady in Egypt'
© Reuters
The Magpies head coach has signed the Egyptian three times.

Steve Bruce was hit by friendly fire as Aston Villa substitute Ahmed Elmohamady denied Newcastle victory at St James' Park.

The Egypt international, signed three times by Bruce during his spells in charge at Sunderland, Hull and Villa, came off the bench to force a 1-1 draw on Tyneside and keep his club's Premier League survival hopes alive.

Bruce said with a smile: "I should have left him in Egypt. I've signed him three times. He's a great pro, a great lad who has served me well over the best part of 10 years.

"He was one of my best ever signings when I was manager down the road, bringing him in for nothing. I think I paid a few quid for him when I took him to Hull, and how often do these things bite you?

"But we're disappointed with the goal because it was a poor corner and he's headed it six yards past the near post and unfortunately, my goalkeeper has let it go through him.

"Look, we're disappointed with that and disappointed that we didn't hold on because usually, that's what we're good at. But it didn't happen tonight.

"We're disappointed that we didn't get the result, but four points from the opening two games, I think we would have accepted that."

Newcastle, who were so impressive in victory over Sheffield United on Sunday, were a pale imitation against Villa, but took a 68th-minute lead when Andy Carroll crossed for fellow substitute Dwight Gayle to hold off defender Ezri Konsa and score his first goal for the Magpies since May 2018.

However Villa, who had enjoyed the better of the first half, but failed to take any of the chances they created, levelled through Elmohamady with seven minutes remaining and might even have won it at the death.

Manager Dean Smith said: "Going a goal down in the manner we did with a lack of concentration from Ezri was a bit of a kick in the stomach, really.

"But the two subs came up with a goal, a great ball in from Conor Hourihane and a great header from Elmo, who ended up getting Ezri out of the doodoo a little bit."

Elmohamady's intervention did him little harm as he attempts to persuade Smith that he has a role to play in his starting line-up.

The Villa boss said: "I'm pleased for Elmo because he's been frustrated. He wants to play and I've gone a little bit more defensive with Ezri playing there at the moment.

"Elmo has gone and got Ezri out of it a little bit and done himself no harm with getting that goal."

ID:403768: cacheID:403768:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3889:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United pair Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes bump fists on June 19, 2020
Read Next:
Wednesday's Premier League predictions including Man United vs. Sheffield United
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!