Newcastle United's striker dilemma continues after Osula's performance against Aston Villa
William Osula of Newcastle United warms up during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match against Aston Villa
View Image
Eddie Howe's Newcastle United starting XI raised a few eyebrows when it dropped on Saturday teatime. The Magpies manager had a number of dilemmas for the FA Cup tie against Aston Villa but not many would have predicted the side he chose.
Injury concerns, of course, played a huge part in the team Howe was able to select with Bruno Guimaraes emerging as the big casualty as news of his lengthy lay-off through a hamstring injury confirmed on the morning of the game.
With Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, Emil Krafth, Joelinton and Lewis Miley also in the treatment room, it meant United's options were limited, and those choices became even slimmer when it emerged Yoane Wissa and Sven Botman were missing from the travelling party.
Wissa's absence via a knock picked up in training is the latest setback to befall the DR Congo striker after his disappointing start to life on Tyneside. The 29-year-old would have been in line to start the game against Villa.
Howe still had some options in that part of the pitch, however. Nick Woltemade was fit while Anthony Gordon had started as the central striker in the win over Tottenham Hotspur a few days prior.
Woltemade did get the nod against Villa in the end, but not at the frontman. Instead, the German was employed in an attacking midfield position, almost a No 10, behind the surprise starter up top, William Osula.
The Danish youngster has become something of a forgotten man at St James' Park as an ankle injury saw him miss three months of action. It was a source of frustration for the 22-year-old who had been looking to build on the chances he'd got at the start of the season in Wissa's absence.
Osula had notched once in the Premier League - against Liverpool - and caused havoc in setting up the winner against Fulham in another late cameo before injury struck. He also had goals
The focus shifted to Wissa's return and his partnership with Woltemade, meaning Osula's absence and rehab largely went under the radar. When he finally returned against Brentford last weekend it barely raised a mention amid the noise around Howe's future and post-match comments.
Osula is highly-rated by Howe and Jason Tindall, who feel there is more to come from the ex-Sheffield United youngster. They could have started Gordon or Woltemade through the middle but put their faith in the Dane, looking for him to add some energy, pace and chaos to the frontline.
It was an experiment that lasted 62 minutes before Gordon replaced him. In that hour spent on the pitch, Osula's contribution in terms of goalmouth action and link play was fitful. Nine touches throughout the game and just one shot which was so wild it went out for a throw-in. He played six passes and a third of those were wayward, although he did put through Harvey Barnes for a first-half chance.
He did little to enhance his claims for a regular starting role ahead of his three rivals - but did help set the tone for a high press that put Villa's backline under strain. The forward's constant sprints and closing down of goalkeeper Marco Bizot and the home centre-halves meant they were unable to build from the back, regularly going long instead.
Osula has a lot of characteristics that Howe admires. His workrate, pace and energy fit Newcastle's style much more than Woltemade as the No 9. He can run in behind and stretch defences too, but it's the rest of his game that needs improving still. He rarely looked a goal threat and - the Barnes chance aside - didn't connect with his teammates around the box.
The popular Dane will have a big role to play in the next couple of months. Newcastle will need as many players contributing as possible as the games - and injuries - continue to come thick and fast.
Osula still must prove he is capable of leading the line as a starter rather than just bringing the chaos from the bench, however.
Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings