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Cabaye: 'The Perfect Game Plan'
Written by Newcastle Utd
Yohan Cabaye talks exclusively to nufc.co.uk about United's formation and tactics in their victory at Aston Villa
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Yohan Cabaye believes Newcastle United's formation and tactics were key to their 2-1 victory at Aston Villa on Saturday.
The French midfielder was named in the starting line-up for the first time this campaign as manager Alan Pardew returned to the attack-minded 4-3-3 which served the Magpies so well during the latter stages of the 2011/12 season.
The result was a richly-deserved three points in the Midlands, extending United's unbeaten run in all competitions to four games.
And Cabaye is confident that he and his teammates can enjoy a successful season using a game plan which will consistently threaten the opposition.
"We were playing with same shape that we had in the team two seasons ago and that suits us well," Cabaye told nufc.co.uk in an exclusive interview.
"They found it hard to play against us. We knew with Hatem on the right, Loic on the left and Papiss as well, we have good energy and dangerous players up front.
"It was important that we kept the ball well with two touches, three touches, and we did that.
"Aston Villa made it hard for us at the start of the second half but we stayed solid and in the end we got the win, so it was a good afternoon.
"The best thing is going away from here with the win and three points. We have to keep this mentality around the whole Club; if we do that then we have the quality in the team to have a very good season."
Cabaye is yet to be on the losing side at Villa Park, winning twice and drawing once since his arrival on Tyneside in the summer of 2011.
And the 27-year-old was all smiles again as he got on the team coach ready for the journey back to the North-East.
"It was a very good win because it is always very difficult to come here and get something," he admitted.
"There is a nice feeling in the dressing room after that. We now have two wins in a row in the Premier League so we are moving in the right direction and it is good for us."
Log on to www.nufc.co.uk on Monday for an exclusive interview with Cabaye, where he reveals all about the transfer window and his future at Newcastle.