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Another Saints corner comes to nothing. Yellow for Alcarez.

Saints will be lucky to take 0-0 to the 2nd leg at this rate.

Is it me or do the Newcastle players just look a lot bigger than our boys?

If only Saints could just string a couple of composed passes together.

Ropy start from Saints. Early days.

Could be worse. Looking forward to the game.

He'll be back on April 1st for sure.

Any truth in the rumours that Bednarek will take on a No. 9 role? 😂

While it's true to say that Lyanco's positioning played Watkins onside and cost a goal let's not forget that Adams' dawdling offside in the first half also cost us a goal - that's assuming he'd have managed to control the ball and actually put it in the net that is.

Last week: Lyanco puts a dangerous cross into the penalty area. Mara is on the move and sweeps past the defender to fire into the net. Saints take the lead. This week: Lyanco puts a dangerous cross into the penalty area. Adams is dawdling on his heels well offside before mis-controlling the ball and stumbling into the 'keeper. Another chance goes begging. I've lost count of the numbers of points Che might have cost us this season. The calamity at Wolves will live long in the memory. If the choice is between him and Mara I'm inclined to persevere with the latter. Adams has had his chance and blown it - something that could be said about Saints as well come to think of it.

About 89 minutes Mara broke their offside trap and was clear. Assistant should have waited to flag for offside (it wasn't) but he stuck it up anyway. Both teams were poor and so were the officials.

Not so much turned a corner as round the bend. Didn't really deserve anything from that game but neither really did Villa.

Mara was onside there.

It's going to take one helluva great escape this time.

Saints give away far too many free kicks.

Typical.

That's dreadful.

VAR FFS!

Had to be a goal like that.

Saints unable to execute the basics of passing and ball control.

I can feel that strange sense of optimism beginning to drain away. Hoping for a much better 2nd half. Lucky to still be level.

Game is completely passing Saints by. Villa will be disappointed not to have a lead I reckon.

Saints ask Villa to have a another go at goal

Hopefully this interruption will put Villa off their stride. Saints still have to defend a dangerous free kick yet though.

If Saints manage to half time at 0-0 that'd be a bonus.