Eddie Howe is not one for celebrating too wildly, but there was a reason why the Newcastle United head coach clenched both fists and roared: "GET IN!" after Callum Wilson doubled his side's advantage against Aston Villa. This was a goal straight from the training ground.
Newcastle's second goal in Saturday's 4-0 win at St James' Park was another reminder of what Howe's staff have brought to the club after an innovative set-play routine used at Bournemouth paid dividends against Villa once more. Former Bournemouth captain Tommy Elphick previously told ChronicleLive that assistant Jason Tindall, in particular, was 'unbelievable at dead ball situations and getting you organised' and Wilson's second goal was a case in point.
Tindall, first-team coach Stephen Purches and the rest of Howe's staff are conscious of not repeating the same plays - to maintain the 'element of surprise' as the Newcastle boss said after the game - but so much time had passed since this particular routine was used against Villa during their spell at Bournemouth. In fact, none of those players who were in Villa's match day squad that day in 2016 were still at the club when the visitors travelled to St James' Park at the weekend.
