Aston Villa moved to within a point of the Premier League top five after a convincing 4-1 victory over in-form Newcastle.
Ollie Watkins scored after 33 seconds before twice hitting the woodwork as Unai Emery’s side, off the back of a valiant exit from the Champions League at the hands of PSG on Tuesday, exploded out the blocks.
Fabian Schar levelled for Newcastle, who themselves were in fine form coming into the contest, but three unanswered second-half goals from Ian Maatsen and Amadou Onana, plus a Dan Burn own goal gave the hosts a statement win.
For the Magpies, they remain in third but the result brings an end to a run of six consecutive wins.
Meanwhile, Villa’s impressive record at Villa Park extends to 19 competitive games without defeat.
What a win. pic.twitter.com/rAJH9LngvV
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) April 19, 2025
Villa quick out the blocks
It took all of 33 seconds for the hosts to break the deadlock. Youri Tielemans fed Watkins whose right-footed shot flicked off Fabian Schar.
The deflection was enough to wrong-foot Nick Pope and nestle into the back of the net as Watkins equaled the record for most Premier League goals for Villa.
The England striker, in for Marcus Rashford, looked in the mood. Moments later he nearly doubled his and his team’s tally when he cannoned a fierce effort against the bar.
“The PERFECT start for Aston Villa” 🎙️
Ollie Watkins scores his 15th goal of the season 🙌 pic.twitter.com/7Q0KpKr0vG
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 19, 2025
Schar was then booked for a foul as Watkins appeared to race clear, but the Swiss defender soon made amends when he headed in Newcastle’s equaliser in the 18th minute.
Watkins hit the woodwork for a second time when he met Marco Asensio’s free-kick but his header smacked against the post.
Sandro Tonali then saw his low effort kept out by Emi Martinez while Asensio fluffed his lines when he should have scored after a promising move down Villa’s left.
Emery’s side dominate after the break
In the second half, John McGinn drew a strong save from Pope before Maatsen gave the hosts the lead with his first ever Premier League goal on 64-minutes.
Villa had been knocking on the door after the break so it was hardly against the run of play when Watkins played in the full-back who finished smartly from a narrow angle.
Things would get better for Emery’s men when substitute Jacob Ramsey, just moments after coming on, flashed in a low cross that was inadvertently turned into his own net by Burn.
“They are blowing their Champions League rivals OUT OF THE WATER!” 🎙️
Amadou Onana with a sublime finish to put Aston Villa out of Newcastle’s reach 🚀 pic.twitter.com/83akLioCES
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 19, 2025
Seconds later, Pope saved point-blank from Rogers before the Villa midfielder set Onana, another second-half sub, who unleashed an unstoppable drive into the top corner to make it four.
Villa were rampant. Newcastle looked jaded. Ramsey struck the post as Emery’s side looked to further extend the lead.
But there was to be no more goals on an evening when Villa’s hopes of returning to European club football’s elite competition were given an almighty boost.
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