Lee Ryder has criticised the performance of Jacob Murphy as Newcastle United lost 2-0 away to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

The Lowdown: Another loss

The Magpies slumped to their second defeat in two games at the hands of Dean Smith’s team, with a stunning goal from Danny Ings and a penalty from Anwar El Ghazi enough to give the hosts all three points at Villa Park.

After the 4-2 home defeat at the hands of West Ham United last weekend, Steve Bruce is now under pressure to try and get his first points on the board in the new season.

The Latest: Murphy criticised

Writing in his latest piece for The Chronicle, Ryder criticised Murphy’s performance, claiming that the 26-year-old found it ‘a real struggle’ for long periods in the match, and that his yellow card added to a ‘tough’ afternoon.

The journalist gave him a mere 4/10 overall rating, the joint-lowest out of anyone in the Newcastle line-up.

The Verdict: Must do better

If Murphy is to cement the starting place at right wing-back as his own, then he must perform better than he did at Villa Park yesterday.

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The Englishman lost out on four of his duels in the game and also failed to record a single shot, dribble, interception, key pass, accurate cross or long ball. He lost possession no fewer than 15 times, the joint-most out of any of his teammates (Sofascore).

Getting a yellow card on top of all that really summed up his afternoon, and he will be hoping for better displays over the rest of the season.

In other news, Newcastle have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of this youngster