Review

Buendia stars as goals keep raining in Philadelphia

24 Jul 2023

Emiliano Buendia celebrates his goal v Newcastle

Aston Villa midfielder scores two goals and assists another as Newcastle and Villa share entertaining 3-3 draw

The Philly cheesesteak found a rival for rich fare in Philadelphia as fans enjoyed a further fill of goals, with Newcastle United and Aston Villa sharing six between them in a thoroughly entertaining 3-3 draw in the third match of the Premier League Summer Series.

Video is currently not available.

The star of a sultry evening was Villa's Emiliano Buendia, who scored twice and provided the assist for Villa's other goal.

As with the first match of the double-header at Lincoln Financial Field, a 3-2 win for Fulham over Brentford, the opening goal came inside the opening seven minutes as Villa set an early pace.

Buendia's driving run from inside his own half took him past Sandro Tonali, and the Villa midfielder set up Ollie Watkins to slot low past Martin Dubravka for his second goal in two pre-season matches.

Less than four minutes later, Buendia doubled the lead against Eddie Howe's new three-man defence. The Argentinian dribbled past Kieran Trippier on the outside before hitting a left-footed shot that was too fierce for Dubravka at his near post.

Video is currently not available.

Newcastle pulled a goal back shortly after a drinks break midway through the first half. Elliot Anderson sprung Villa's high defensive line from Jacob Murphy's ball over the top, going through on goal and finishing calmly past Emiliano Martinez.

Anderson was also involved in Newcastle's equaliser on the stroke of half-time. The 20-year-old dispossessed Jaden Philogene-Bidace before driving into the area and unleashing a shot that was parried but could not be cleared, leaving Alexander Isak with a simple finish.

Another fast start

The scores were not level for long in the second half, as a slick Villa move ended with Omari Kellyman's shot being tipped on to a post, with the rebound falling to Buendia to give him his second of the evening.

But on 55 minutes, Newcastle were level again. Anthony Gordon's shot was saved by Robin Olsen and the ball fell to Callum Wilson to slot into an empty net.

Buendia had a chance for a hat-trick but, after rounding Dubravka, he got his feet in a muddle. Kellyman was the next through on the Newcastle goal but twice shot tamely.

Barnes on for debut

Harvey Barnes, whose signing was announced earlier in the day, came on for his first Newcastle appearance and almost enjoyed a dream start, but his curling shot in the 89th minute was too close to Olsen as the match ended with the points shared.

Premier League fans can only hope these two teams throw up a similar spectacle when they meet on the opening weekend on 12 August.

Supporters in the United States who have not bought tickets for the remaining six matches of the Summer Series will now be researching where they can witness this entertainment in person, after 18 goals were scored in the first three fixtures.

The next opportunity is on Wednesday, when all six teams will be in action, including another double-header, this time in Atlanta.