Newcastle United fell to a 2-0 defeat against Aston Villa on Sunday, with captain Bruno Guimaraes watching from the stands due to an ankle injury. The loss extends a stark statistic: Newcastle have failed to win any of the nine Premier League matches the Brazilian has missed, securing just five points from a possible 27.

The defeat was particularly frustrating given the context. Newcastle were fresh from a Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven and unbeaten at St James' Park since September. Coach Eddie Howe lamented the absence of Guimaraes's forward-thinking creativity, noting his team lacked the guile to unlock Villa's stubborn defense despite creating chances.

Aston Villa, also missing key midfielder John McGinn, demonstrated how to win without a talisman. Their victory highlights Newcastle's over-reliance on Guimaraes, who has been remarkably durable. The midfielder is now desperate to return for Wednesday's crucial Champions League clash against Paris St-Germain.