Gary Neville slams 'clumsy' Villa man who lost the ball 13 times and lost 70% duels vs Newcastle

Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville hit out at Aston Villa defender Calum Chambers during his display against Newcastle on Sunday afternoon. 

Chambers was making his first start as a Villa player after joining from Arsenal last month, with Steven Gerrard making four winter additions in his first transfer window in charge.

The 27-year-old came in for the suspended Ezri Konsa in the only change from the 3-3 draw with Leeds United on Wednesday, but he had an afternoon to forget at St James’ Park.

The defender gave away possession 13 times, was second-best in nine of his 13 aerial and ground duels (70%) and was also unsuccessful with six of his nine long balls. [SofaScore]

Chambers brought down Joe Willock on the edge of the area on the half-hour mark, with Neville labelling the defender ‘clumsy’ twice on Sky Sports‘ live broadcast.

Kieran Trippier scored the resulting free-kick, with his effort proving to be the winner for Eddie Howe’s side.

Chambers would have been hoping to catch Gerrard’s eye after being preferred over Kortney Hause, but you’d expect that the Villa boss will bring Konsa straight back into the side against Watford next weekend after what he saw from the new arrival on Sunday.

You could perhaps put the 27-year-old’s disappointing display down to rustiness, with his only two Premier League appearances for Arsenal this season coming way back in August, but he cannot afford many more of these insipid performances.

In other news: Villa now want midfield ‘monster’ for free as Lange plots revenge on Tottenham after Bentancur. 

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