Aston Villa bounced back from European disappointment in emphatic fashion, dismantling Newcastle United 4-1 at Villa Park to throw the race for Champions League qualification wide open.
Ollie Watkins got the hosts off to a dream start when his deflected effort beat Nick Pope early on.
Fabian Schär responded quickly with a headed equaliser in the 17th minute, making amends for his earlier defensive lapse.
Unai Emery’s substitutions proved decisive after the break. Ian Maatsen restored Villa’s lead in the 64th minute with a driving run and precise finish.
Just nine minutes later, a Jacob Ramsey cross forced Dan Burn into an own goal to put Villa firmly in control.
Amadou Onana added a fourth with a composed strike from the edge of the box, sealing an impressive response from a side with top-four ambitions.
Villa now surge back into the Champions League conversation, while Newcastle’s defensive frailties leave them scrambling to stay in the European hunt.
