On this final Sunday of January, the race for Champions League qualification was the main focus in the Premier League. Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Newcastle were all in action.
Top of the day : Aston Villa
What a masterstroke by the Villans. By beating Newcastle at St James’ Park for the first time since 2005, Aston Villa pulled off a double achievement. They widened the gap on fourth place and closed in on the Arsenal–Manchester City duo. Never threatened by a disastrous Newcastle side today, the Villans found the net through Buendía and Watkins. Buendía scored with a magnificent strike, while Watkins doubled the lead with a header after a magical cross from Lucas Digne.
Aston Villa pulled off a statement win, and credit must be given to the team’s response after a terrible start to the season following the Old Trafford robbery on the final matchday of the 2024–2025 campaign.
Flop of the day : Crystal Palace
From dream to nightmare? That saying seems to be coming true for Crystal Palace, beaten by a Chelsea side still recovering under the orders of Doctor Liam Rosenior. Symbolic of Palace’s struggles, their jewel Adam Wharton was sent off and never found his rhythm, and Crystal Palace never truly looked capable of troubling Chelsea despite a huge chance for Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Rumors of their striker’s departure are growing, Glasner is hinting to anyone who will listen that he may not stay, and several players are going through disastrous spells.
After lifting their first-ever trophy with the FA Cup, Crystal Palace now seem to be tearing down a house of cards carefully built by Glasner.
Goal of the day
How we love knuckle shots, and Aston Villa’s Argentine playmaker Emiliano Buendía executes them to perfection. With a clean strike from just outside the box, he put Aston Villa in the perfect position to dominate Newcastle.