Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle United: Premier League result as Ian Maatsen, Ollie Watkins and Amadou Onana among scorers for hosts

Aston Villa recorded a 4-1 win against Newcastle United to boost their hopes of a top-five finish at Villa Park.

Ollie Watkins was selected ahead of Marcus Rashford and set the tone for his side with a goal inside the opening minute, after his shot deflected in off Fabian Schar.

Five Premier League wins on the bounce have seen Newcastle rise to third position.

The Magpies hit back when Schar redeemed himself for the opener by heading home Harvey Barnes’ 18th-minute cross.

Despite the equaliser, Villa remained in control and Watkins was denied twice by the woodwork in the first half.

Watkins then provided an assist for his side’s second as full-back Ian Maatsen fired his side back ahead.

Substitute Jacob Ramsey saw his cross cannon off Dan Burn for a third goal before Amadou Onana rifled in a fourth.

The victory leaves Aston Villa level on goal difference with fifth-placed Nottingham Forest with five games remaining.

Unai Emery said today’s game was the biggest of the season as they came up against a top five rival.

He got the response he required from his players and Villa are one of the in-form Premier League sides.

Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins said that he was not going to let his "opportunity slip" after starting ahead of Marcus Rashford.

Watkins told Sky Sports: "I think obviously being left out of the team, nobody is happy to sit on the bench when you are a professional player, you always want to play in the starting line-up.

"I found myself out of the team for a few games, so today I was raring to go and I wasn't going to let that opportunity slip.

Taking about not starting in the Champions League he added: "I played 20 minutes against PSG in both games. I’m not going to lie, I was fuming that I wasn’t playing.

"I let him know that, but he’s the manager and you’ve got to respect his decision."

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After their disappointing Champions League exit in midweek, Aston Villa bounced back in style.

The home side rose to the occasion with a dominant display and they are only below fifth placed Nottingham Forest on goal difference now.

Ollie Watkins played a key role in scoring the opening goal and setting the tone inside the opening minute.

Newcastle are still in third but will be looking over their shoulders with Villa now just two points behind them.

Aston Villa are well and truly in the battle for a top five position after a comfortable 4-1 victory against Newcastle.

The Villa fans are enjoying this and are cheering every pass. Newcastle are found pondering on the ball at the back creating a chance for Malen whose effort across goal is wide.

Newcastle are huffing and puffing and they have six minutes to salvage anything from this game. That is looking increasingly unlikely though.

The Villa substitute is booked after pulling back Newcastle skipper Bruno Guimaraes

Villa almost have another goal, but Rashford over-hits his through ball to fellow substitute Malen. That allows Pope to rush off his line and save his side’s blushes.

Schar is replaced by Targett for Newcastle.

Meanwhile, Kamara, Rogers and Watkins go off for Barkley, Malen and Rashford

Substitute Ramsey has had a massive impact and is picked out by Watkins before curling his effort off the post.

Rogers forces Pope into a fine save from close range. However, Newcastle fail to clear their lines and the ball comes out to Onana who lashes the ball home.

Substitute Murphy with a driving run and then pass inside to Tielemans. However, the Villa man misses the ball only for the ball to fly in off defender Burn.

Onana and Ramsey enter the game and replace Asensio and McGinn

The Magpies have been happy sitting back in this second half and were almost inviting the pressure.

However, they now have to turn the momentum in this game.

GORDON COMES ON
Newcastle make their first change with Murphy off for Gordon

Maatsen makes a clever run on the overlap past Watkins and then strikes across goal and into the far corner of the net.

The Newcastle skipper felt he deserved a penalty after colliding with Kamara and let the referee know his thoughts.

The Newcastle goalkeeper is forced into action twice within a minute. Firstly he is off his line quickly to deny McGinn from close range.

The ball comes back out to Rogers who fires at the goalkeeper.