Newcastle condemned Aston Villa to their first home defeat in the Premier League for almost a year with a stunning 3-1 win.
Two goals in four first-half minutes from Fabian Schar put the Magpies in control before Alex Moreno’s own goal after the break.
Ollie Watkins grabbed a consolation for the hosts, who lost in the league at Villa Park for the first time since last February.
THREE GOALS AND THREE POINTS AT VILLA PARK! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/j0IdAGvncm
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 30, 2024
They remain fourth but have played more games than leaders Liverpool and rivals Manchester City and will be caught by Tottenham if they beat Brentford on Wednesday.
Newcastle had lost six of their previous seven league games to slip away from the top four but victory lifted them to seventh, although still 11 points behind Villa.
They thrashed Villa 5-1 in the opening game of the season but since August the direction of travel for the two sides has been different.
Only Sheffield United had previously taken a point from Villa Park this season as Emery’s side mount a surprise Champions League charge, while the Magpies had won just once away.
Yet it was the visitors who dominated from the start and they conjured the first serious chance after 20 minutes. Jacob Murphy’s sumptuous ball found Anthony Gordon with Ezri Konsa for company and he managed to wriggle clear, but Emi Martinez raced out to save.
The Magpies were slicker, with Villa uncharacteristically timid, and Clement Lenglet needed to block Sean Longstaff’s effort after Martinez spilled Murphy’s strike.
Soon after, Gordon broke only to see his drive deflected over as Eddie Howe’s side began to find the gaps – which they then exploited with two quickfire goals.
Douglas Luiz and Konsa got themselves into a mess trying to defend Kieran Trippier’s resulting corner and Schar nipped in to find the net for a 32nd-minute lead.
Four minutes later only a last-ditch Matty Cash clearance denied Gordon a second but Villa were then undone by a corner again.
It was only half-cleared to Gordon and his volley clipped Lenglet to come off the underside of the bar, Schar following up to fire in his second from close range.
The defender had not scored in the league since August 2022 but now had two goals in four minutes.
For all the celebrations, though, the Magpies lost Alexander Isak to injury just before the break and John McGinn nodded over a rare Villa chance in stoppage time.
If Villa thought half-time would ease any woes they were mistaken as they fell further behind six minutes into the second half.
Miguel Almiron, who had replaced Isak, robbed Cash on the halfway line for Gordon to then send him scampering down the right.
The Paraguayan’s delivery found Murphy at the far post and when the winger tried to turn it in, Moreno ultimately bundled it into his own net.
Newcastle should have been cruising but Villa came back fighting and Watkins slipped in Moussa Diaby to round Martin Dubravka only for Schar to mop up.
A half-century of @PremierLeague goals for Ollie Watkins. 5️⃣0️⃣ pic.twitter.com/3UpHsxUnng
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 30, 2024
Dubravka also needed to turn Cash’s shot away before Watkins pulled one back with 19 minutes left when he turned in impressive substitute Leon Bailey’s cross for his 50th Premier League goal.
Two minutes later he was denied by a tight VAR call after slotting in with Newcastle rocking but Villa’s momentum was halted.
Longstaff should have even added a fourth with a minute left, only to be denied by Martinez, as the Magpies held on.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Liverpool Pushing to Sign Alexander Isak Lionel Messi is the ONLY Player from THAT legendary Barca team still playing at Both the International and Club level... Enzo Fernandez's Lil son has now worn more medals and touched more Trophies than Many Players & Clubs! Don Luka Modric has officially updated his bio to "AC MILAN FOOTBALL PLAYER" after signing...
Man Utd eyeing Chelsea's Jackson in bid to solve striker woesManchester United are weighing up a move for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson in a bid to address their misfiring forward line.Ex-Arsenal captain Xhaka offered stunning Premier League returnGranit Xhaka has been offered a return to the Premier League by recently promoted Sunderland, who are interested in the former Arsenal captain.Newcast...
Liverpool have registered their interest in signing Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak this summer as they continue their search for a No. 9, a source has told ESPN.The Premier League champions are in the market for a new centre-forward as uncertainty over the future of Darwin Nunez continues, with Napoli one of the clubs interested in signing the Uruguay international this summer.Liverpool a...
Juventus are poised to sign Francisco Conceicao on a permanent deal after reportedly reaching an agreement with Porto.Conceicao joined Juve on loan from Porto last August and scored five goals in all competitions while providing three assists.He then found the net twice for Juve at the Club World Cup, which they exited in the last 16.A star of Portugal's Nations League triumph in June, Conceicao's...
Liverpool have rejected a €67.5 million (£58.6m) bid from Bayern Munich to sign forward Luis Díaz, a source told ESPN.Díaz enjoyed the most productive season of his Liverpool career last term, scoring 17 goals in all competitions and helping Arne Slot's side to the Premier League title.The 28-year-old has two years left on his contract and has been linked with a move away from...
Ethan Nwaneri nears new Arsenal deal, eyes bigger roleArsenal are finalizing contract talks with wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri as they aim to secure the young attacker's long-term future.According to The Athletic, the Gunners are in the final stages of negotiating a new contract with the Anglo-Nigerian, who is ready to commit his long-term future to the club.0Having previously played on the right wing d...
Man Utd open talks with Aston Villa for Martinez after Onana injuryManchester United have reportedly opened talks with Aston Villa for Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The move comes after Andre Onana’s difficult season, marked by costly errors in crucial moments.0Onana’s performances have sparked doubts about his suitability as a long-term option, especially given the high expe...
The transfer saga is over, Diouf is heading to West Ham to join Soucek.West Ham United have signed El Hadji Malick Diouf from Czech champions Slavia Prague. The offensive left-back, who arrived in Prague in January 2024 for €2.7 million, is now heading to East London for almost ten times that amount. Diouf is the third footballer in the last six years to transfer between Slavia and West Ham ...
Gibbs-White makes Forest promise despite ongoing Tottenham lawsuit Morgan Gibbs-White has reportedly decided against boycotting Nottingham Forest training despite the ongoing lawsuit.Forest have fought the England international’s move away from the club by alleging that Tottenham made an illegal approach to sign him this summer despite them triggering his 360M release clause. Forest are prep...
Konate rejects new deal, eyes Liverpool exit amid Real Madrid interestLiverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has reportedly turned down a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League, reaffirming his commitment to continuing his career in European football. The 26-year-old centre-back is determined to play at the highest level and believes staying in Europe is essential to regularly competing in the UEFA...
- 1 FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Fixture schedule, group standings, knockout round, tickets, format & everything you need to know
- 2 Brooklyn Beckham's ex inspires Palmer as Chelsea crush PSG
- 3 Spurs get huge lift in Morgan Gibbs-White row
- 4 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 5 Rashford becomes new club's 'priority target'
- 6 Meet Christian Norgaard's gorgeous wife
- 7 Noni Madueke parties at Wireless with Jadon Sancho
- 8 Chelsea's wage offer to Jadon Sancho revealed
- 9 Xabi Alonso sends warning to Real Madrid stars after PSG thrashing
- 10 Erling Haaland rides banana boat on Ibiza holiday