Little over two weeks ago Eddie Howe explained how Sean Longstaff's Newcastle United performances regularly went 'under the radar'. It didn't take long for that claim to be vindicated as the Magpies slumped to a humbling defeat at Aston Villa.
The midfielder, who has been a mainstay in this excellent Newcastle team this season, was a huge miss in the 3-0 loss after being demoted to the bench at Villa Park. Longstaff, who had been suffering with illness in the run-up to the Premier League showdown, could only watch on from the sidelines before being introduced for the final 20 minutes in the Midlands.
By then, the damage had been done after Unai Emery's men outplayed and outran their fellow European football-chasing rivals. John McGinn had the midfield battle firmly sewn up as Newcastle struggled to get near.
