This matchday felt completely different for Bruno Guimaraes. The injured Newcastle United captain watched from the stands with his family at St James’ Park and stayed far from the action throughout the afternoon. Newcastle then lost 2-0 against Aston Villa on Sunday, an experience Guimaraes will not want to relive anytime soon. “Tough not being on the pitch with my team-mates,” he wrote on Instagram afterwards.
The coaching staff had good reasons for taking risks with his fitness after he left the PSV Eindhoven win with an ankle injury in midweek. Staff still hoped he could recover in time because they know how much Newcastle rely on him. Since his Premier League debut nearly four years ago, the numbers look grim. Newcastle have not won any of the nine league matches Guimaraes missed and collected only five points from a possible 27, figures that underline his importance.
“You lose a lot when a player like that isn’t available,” Eddie Howe said after the match. “But we can’t rely on one player. We must find a way to win without him.”
Missed Control In Midfield
Defeat did not feel inevitable, despite Villa sitting third in the table. Newcastle arrived full of confidence after beating PSV 3-0 and had stayed unbeaten at home in the league since late September. They scored at least twice in eight straight home matches and faced a Villa side that returned from Istanbul early on Friday morning after Europa League action.
Newcastle still created early chances and started on the front foot. Sandro Tonali dribbled past three defenders soon after kick-off before Emiliano Martinez denied him. Lewis Miley then forced another save with a header as pressure built. Howe praised both midfielders afterwards, even as he lost Joelinton to a groin injury during the match. Still, the Newcastle manager focused on one missing presence.
“It’s not a slight on them,” Howe said. “I thought we missed Bruno’s forward thinking. He always looks forward and searches for creative passes, and you could clearly see that absence today.” Guimaraes constantly demands the ball from team-mates and drives standards with his attitude and spirit, qualities that define Newcastle’s midfield identity.
Moments That Change Matches
Guimaraes has delivered countless decisive moments in recent weeks. Newcastle trailed Leeds United 3-2 in stoppage time earlier this month before he scored a late penalty to level the match. Newcastle then somehow went on to win. He also broke deadlocks against Crystal Palace and Burnley, opened the scoring against Tottenham and Nottingham Forest, and scored a late winner against Fulham in October.
No similar spark arrived on Sunday as the match wore on. Newcastle never looked close to a dramatic turnaround and Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade produced only one shot combined. The hosts again lacked creativity after the break and struggled to break down a stubborn defence, a problem that resurfaced after a goalless draw with Wolves the previous week. Guimaraes actually played in that match.
“There’s no point thinking about new players now,” Howe said. “That opportunity comes in the summer. We must get the best from this squad.”
Desperate To Return
Aston Villa understand that challenge well. They travelled without captain John McGinn and also missed Boubacar Kamara. Villa rarely lose when Kamara starts because he dominates duels and cuts passing lanes. The club lost only two league games with him starting this season.
Unai Emery still found balance without him as Villa controlled midfield and kept a clean sheet. They had not won at St James’ Park for more than 20 years. “We are building structure individually and collectively,” Emery said. “When someone is unavailable, others must step up confidently.”
Newcastle rarely face that situation. Guimaraes missed no league games last season and missed only two the season before. That durability explains his value and his urgency to return. Guimaraes now targets a comeback against Paris St-Germain on Wednesday. “Not the result we wanted, but we keep moving forward,” he wrote. “Hopefully I’ll be back doing what I love very soon.”
