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Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle: Villa’s ruthless 2nd half clutters top-five discussion

Aston Villa made a Champions League-sized statement on Saturday, delivering a 4-1 win over red-hot Newcastle days after departing this season’s competition.

WATCH — Aston Villa v Newcastle full match replay

The Villans broke free of the Magpies in a vicious second half, ending Newcastle’s five-match Premier League winning streak thanks to goals from Ollie Watkins, Ian Maatsen, Amadou Onana joined a Dan Burn own goal on the score sheet.

Newcastle trailed in the first minute when Watkins fired a shot off Fabian Schar and into the goal, but the Magpies’ Swiss center back headed home from a Harvey Barnes cross to deliver a 1-1 that would last into halftime.

MORE — So, who will make the Champions League?

Villa then scored three times in 11 second-half minutes to climb into sixth place with 57 points, behind Nottingham Forest on goal differential. Newcastle’s 59 points remain third, with City in fourth (58). Chelsea have 54 points in what’s shaping up to be an intense battle for three of five UEFA Champions League berths for the 2025-26 campaign.

Ruthless Villa require no rest

Unai Emery’s Villa ran their proverbial shorts off at midweek in a bid to provide a historic comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal round, and it was natural to question whether they’d be able to re-up their energy for this huge top-five tilt with a Newcastle team who’s looked as good as anyone in the Premier League. Villa’s answer is a resounding yes, as both teams produced a a memorable, breathless first half. It was again natural to expect that Villa could be the team with midweek legs running out of gas but Newcastle had no answers for the relentless Villa team, who have to again summon their spirit for Man City at midweek prior to an FA Cup semifinal next weekend. After today, would you doubt them?

Aston Villa vs Newcastle United player ratings

(from fotmob.com)

This was a brilliant game, and both keepers had some big moments keeping the game 1-1 for a good spell.

Ollie Watkins was fantastic on the day, as was Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers.

Newcastle was not rotated and looked tired as the game reached its final half-hour. Center back depth must be part of the recruitment this summer, as Dan Burn and Fabian Schar both wore out and a team missing Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles for most of the season is wearing on its current duo.

Aston Villa vs Newcastle United player ratings (from fotmob.com)

Aston Villa vs Newcastle United player ratings (from fotmob.com)

Aston Villa vs Newcastle United player ratings (from fotmob.com)

What’s next?

Newcastle host Ipswich Town on Saturday, while Villa go to Manchester City on Tuesday for a PL fixture moved up to accommodate their FA Cup semifinal with Palace at the weekend.


How to watch Aston Villa vs Newcastle live, stream link and start time

Kick off time: 12:30pm ET Saturday (April 19)
Venue: Villa Park — Birmingham
TV Channel: NBC
Streaming: Watch online via NBC.com & Stream live on Peacock


Aston Villa vs Newcastle live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright at Villa Park

Aston Villa vs Newcastle final score: 4-1

Watkins 1', Maatsen 64'; Schar 17', Tielemans 73', Onana 75'

Newcastle subs

Callum Wilson, Emil Krafth, and Joe Willock try to drive the Magpies back into this game.

Isak, Trippier, and Barnes exit the fray with Newcastle down three.

Amadou Onana goal — Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle

The Magpies all over the place and Villa are everywhere their visitors are not.

It’s Onana at the start and finish of this passage of play.

He steals a wayward Fabian Schar clearance that looks a lot like Tonali’s clearance on Watkins opener.

Rogers is saved at close range but the ball winds up atop the 18 and Onana curls a venomous effort inside the upper 90.

Onana's thunderbolt makes it 4-1 for Aston Villa
Take a bow, Amadou Onana! Just a few minutes after coming on as a substitute, the Aston Villa fan favorite rockets his effort into the top corner of the Newcastle goal to give his side a 4-1 lead.

Dan Burn own goal — Aston Villa 3-1 Newcastle

It’s a passing drill, too easy for Villa to get down the left side.

That’s where the work begins, as Jacob Ramsey tap dances on the wing while awaiting a runner, then sends his pass to Tielemans, who has darted in front of Dan Burn.

The ball bounds off Burn’s leg and opens up a two-goal lead for Villa.

Burn's own goal gives Villa 3-1 lead v. Newcastle
Jacob Ramsey's cross takes an unfortunate touch off Dan Burn and goes in to give Aston Villa a commanding 3-1 lead against Newcastle at Villa Park.

Villa subs

Jacob Ramsey and Amadou Onana enter for Sergio Asensio and John McGinn in the 72nd minute.

Maatsen puts Villa ahead! — Aston Villa 2-1 Newcastle

Lovely play down the left from Watkins and Maatsen is played in and finishes really well over Pope. Villa deserve that lead. Villa Park has gone bonkers! Just over 20 minutes to go.

Maatsen blasts Aston Villa 2-1 ahead of Newcastle
Ian Maatsen scores his first Premier League in style as he smashes his left-footed effort past Nick Pope to give Aston Villa a 2-1 lead against Newcastle at Villa Park.

Bruno wants a penalty, doesn’t get it and then he’s booked

Guimaraes goes down but doesn’t get a penalty. He’s fuming. He then hacks down Tielemans and is booked.

McGinn should score

A lovely ball through the middle finds the onrushing McGinn, who has been everywhere. He’s clean through but scuffs his shot and Pope saves. That is a huge chance wasted by Villa’s skipper. He knows it.

How much longer until the subs arrive?

Rashford, Gordon, Wilson and Malen are among the subs going through their paces in front of me here at Villa Park. Surely Gordon and Rashford will come on soon? It feels like this game is made for either of them to be the hero on the break.

Tonali clears off the line

A corner is whipped in and Tielemans’ flicked header might just be sneaking in, but Tonali is there to clear off the line.

End to end start to the second half

As expected, they just keep going at it. At one end Newcastle almost create a chance as Bruno Guimaraes is barging players out of the way towards goal. Then McGinn almost sneaks in at the other and forces Pope to save. Both teams going for the win. Which is wonderful to see.

Half time: Aston Villa 1-1 Newcastle

What a brilliant first half that was. Watkins scored early and could have had a hat trick but Newcastle hit back and it could be 3-3. This is set up perfectly for an exciting second half. The subs are going to be key. Rashford, Gordon, Wilson and Co. must be licking their chops as both teams look so dangerous on the counter.

Rogers excellent in this first half

Morgan Rogers is causing so many problems with his positioning. Newcastle can’t handle him dropping centrally from the left to receive the ball and turning. Nobody is picking him up. Villa really clever in stopping Newcastle dominating midfield. Rogers has shown some wonderful pieces of individual skill.

Watkins goes down in the box and VAR is checking... No penalty

That looked like a pen in real time. Watkins goes past Schar and the center back maybe slightly clips him. But the contact is very minimal.

Rogers denied at the near post

Lovely turn by Kamara leads a Villa counter and Rogers tries to sneak it home at the near post but Pope saves. This is like a basketball game!

Martinez denies Tonali

Newcastle have improved as the half has gone on. Tonali has a pop from distance and his low shot is sneaking in but Martinez claws it away.

Watkins heads against the post!

Another great set-piece sees the ball whipped in and Watkins powers a header towards the top corner but it smashes the post and Newcastle somehow clear. Watkins could have had a hat trick already!

Asensio misses a sitter!

Villa go right up the other end and Maatsen pulls back a perfect cross. Asensio is six yards out but somehow gets it all wrong as he scuffs his effort wide. That is a woeful miss.

Newcastle are level! — Aston Villa 1-1 Newcastle

Totally against the run of play Newcastle equalize. A freee kick is clipped in and Villa fail to clear. Barnes then whips in a ross and Schar heads home at the back post. Maatsen has to do better there defensively, and Martinez will be disappointed that squeezed in. All of the noise is coming from the away end now. What a game!

Schar heads Newcastle level with Aston Villa
It's game on at Villa Park as Fabian Schar's header makes it 1-1 for Newcastle against Aston Villa in the first half.

Pope denies Cash

It’s alllll Villa. An inventive free kick sees it dinked in to Cash down the right and his drilled effort at the near post is pushed over by Pope. Wave after wave of Villa pressure. There is certainly no hangover from their midweek exploits against PSG. Yet.

Schar shown a yellow and he’s lucky

A ball is clipped over the top and Watkins is in. Schar hauls him down and he’s last man. But it’s only a yellow card. Has to be because the ball was just overhit and was probably going straight to Pope before Watkins got there. Schar is very lucky.

Watkins smashes the bar!

Oh my word he is on it today. Watkins dribbles towards goal and pushes the ball onto his left foot. From a tight angle he rattles the crossbar. So close to a second for Watkins and Villa. Newcastle are all over the place at the back.

Watkins opens the scoring inside the first minute! — Aston Villa 1-0 Newcastle

What a start for Villa. With just 33 seconds on the clock Watkins is played in by Tielemans and his shot deflects past Pope and in. I told you there would be goals!

Watkins puts Aston Villa in front after 36 seconds
Aston Villa take the lead within one minute as Ollie Watkins finds the back of the net on his first sight of goal against Newcastle at Villa Park.

Hello and welcome to Villa Park!

There is a real buzz here in the air in Birmingham! What a huge game for both teams in their quest to qualify for the Champions League. The wind is swirling around a bit and both of these in-form teams are going through their final warm ups. Sandstorm and then Freed from Desire are blasting over the speakers. This is all bubbling up very nicely. Famous last words but I’ll say it: expect goals, and plenty of ‘em.

Aston Villa lineup

Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; Kamara, McGinn; Asensio, Tielemans, Rogers; Watkins

Newcastle lineup

Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Barnes


Aston Villa team news, focus

Unai Emery has a fully-fit squad to choose from and it will be intriguing to see if Ollie Watkins will start up front with Marcus Rashford now the former is fully-fit. Emery has had to manage Watkins’ minutes and hinted earlier this week that he’d like to play the duo up top together. Elsewhere Rogers, McGinn and Tielemans are crucial in midfield and full backs Digne and Cash will have to have incredible games to keep Newcastle’s flying wingers quiet. Don’t be surprised if Emery rotates heavily given the toll Tuesday night’s win against PSG will have taken on a lot of his key players.

Newcastle team news, focus

This Newcastle team picks itself at the moment with a very solid, settled lineup. Murphy and Barnes are providing chances galore for Isak, and scoring plenty on their own, while the midfield trio of Tonali, Joelinton and Guimaraes may be the best in the Premier League right now. Newcastle are so aggressive and clinical and look like they’re going to score three or four goals every time they step out onto the pitch.

OUT: Lewis Hall (foot - out for season), Jamaal Lascelles (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Sven Botman (knee)

Aston Villa vs Newcastle prediction

Expect plenty of goals and drama as both teams love to attack and this game will be decided by whoever is more clinical on transitions. Aston Villa 3-2 Newcastle.

Aston Villa vs Newcastle preview

Unai Emery’s Villa were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League at the quarterfinal stage on Tuesday, winning 3-2 at home against PSG but losing 5-4 on aggregate. Reaching the last eight was still a huge achievement for Villa and they will be hungry to qualify for the competition for a second-straight season. They’ve won four-straight games in the Premier League to propel themselves back into the scrap to finish in the top five and return to the Champions League, while they’re also in the FA Cup semifinals where they face Crystal Palace at Wembley.

Newcastle are absolutely flying, winning five-straight Premier League games and they’ve smashed Manchester United 4-1 and Crystal Palace 5-0 at home over the last week. With manager Eddie Howe still recovering after being treated for pneumonia, assistant coach Jason Tindall remains in charge of the Magpies who have already qualified for Europe next season (UEFA Conference League) by virtue of winning the League Cup. They sit third in the table heading into the weekend and are even eyeing up second spot with all of Arsenal’s focus now on the Champions League. Right now Newcastle look certain to qualify for the Champions League.