Those six players were hardly household names to the average supporter, but somehow manager Alan Pardew has moulded an impressive unit with Cabaye in particular standing out from the bunch. The retuning Ben Arfa from long-term injury also seems like a new signing. Other than an Arsenalin turmoil, Newcastle are yet to face any side fighting for a top-four finish and beyond so sterner tests are to come, although they have beaten their derby rivals and a tough Wolves side away from home, whilst drawing with fellow surprise packages Aston Villa.
Villa also had their fair share of traumatic events during the summer and many feared they too, would be left worse off. Against the backlash of appointing Alex McLeish, former manager of their most hated rivalsBirmingham City, Villa fans with disgruntled from the off, to say the least. Making things seem worse, something Villa fans have had to become accustomed to during the summer transfer window also occurred; they lost their best players.
Off went Ashley Young and fans player of the year Stewart Downing to Manchester United and Liverpool respectively, whilst also losing ever-green keeper Brad Friedel. In fairness, a great replacement in Shay Given was signed to take his place in goal, and Spurs duo Alan Hutton and Jermaine Jenas also came in, adding Premier League experience. The long pursuit of Charles N’Zogbia also ended and came in as a perfect wing replacement for Young/Downing.
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However it is the return to form of Gabriel Agbonlahor that has helped Villa remain unbeaten in the league this season, firing in 4-goals in 7-games. Perhaps even more influential in keeping their unbeaten status is new keeper Shay Given who seems to perform highlight saves every fixture. Similar to Newcastle however, tougher tests are yet to come for Villa as they too are yet to face any of the clubs who are challenging for honours this season.
Are both clubs getting the credit they deserve thus far? Probably not. Will they remain unbeaten all season? Again, probably not….but who knows? It’s a funny old game!
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Seems to be working without Caroll. Barton, Enrique and Nolan… we are a better team now, without troublemakers.
Newcastle and Villa’s season probably isn’t going to be defined by the games against the so called top sides. It’s how they do against the rest of the league that matters. Taking points off the other teams will in all likelihood mean they finish above those teams.
My team Newcastle have so far done considerably better against teams this year than they did against the same teams last year.
Arsenal (H)This year 1 point, Last Year 1 point
Sunderland (A)TY 3 , LY 1
Fulham (H)TY 3, LY 0
Villa (A)TY 0, LY 0
Blackburn (H)TY 3, LY 0
Wolves (A)TY 3, LY 1
Total this year 14, last year 3
We have also picked up a further point away at QPR, who were in the Championship last year.
So people might say we haven’t played anybody yet. Apart from being insulting to the teams we have played, the records so far show that actually we have done OK. And so have Villa
Mate
United’s total is 15 – we got a draw at Villa
Thanks. It was a stupid typo
I showed the Villa as 0 points instead of 1 point, but I included the point in the total of 14, comparing to last seasons 3 against the same teams.
Then the point at QPR makes 15 that we have
And I swear we drew with fulham last year
You’re right. OK 14 points against 4. Still a canny improvement. Ignoring the details I was trying to make a point about how well we have done.
Some people are never happy