Aston Villa delivered a statement performance in the race for Champions League qualification, defeating third-placed Newcastle United 4-1 at Villa Park on Saturday. Ollie Watkins equalled Aston Villa’s all-time Premier League scoring record in the convincing victory.
The hosts made a blistering start, taking the lead after just 33 seconds. Watkins’ shot took a significant deflection off Fabian Schär, wrong-footing goalkeeper Nick Pope. The goal was Watkins’ 74th in the Premier League for Villa, drawing him level with Gabriel Agbonlahor as the club’s top scorer in the competition era.
Newcastle defender Schär made amends in the 18th minute, heading home Harvey Barnes’ deep cross through the legs of Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez to level the scores.
However, Villa reasserted control in the second half. Full-back Ian Maatsen restored their lead in the 64th minute with a composed dink over the keeper after being played through by Watkins. Villa extended their advantage in the 73rd minute when Jacob Ramsey’s pass across the face of goal deflected in off Newcastle defender Dan Burn for an own goal.
Substitute Amadou Onana capped off a superb Villa display moments later, smashing a stunning strike into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area to make it 4-1.
The win lifts Aston Villa to sixth place in the table with 57 points, level with fifth-placed Nottingham Forest. Crucially, it closes the gap on Newcastle, who remain third but are now just two points ahead of Villa (59 points) with only five games of the season remaining, intensifying the battle for the Champions League qualification spots.
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