71’
52’
Fabian Schar’s quickfire double set Newcastle on their way to a 3-1 win at Aston Villa, consigning Unai Emery’s side to their first home defeat of the season.
The Swiss defender scored twice in five first-half minutes before an own goal from Alex Moreno all but sealed the victory early in the second half.
Ollie Watkins scored a consolation goal for Villa, who have won only one of their last five Premier League matches.
How the match unfolded
Villa started on the front foot and pinned Newcastle inside their own half, but they struggled to break the visitors down.
Anthony Gordon had a great chance to open the scoring for Newcastle as he dribbled around two Villa defenders in the box before shooting, but Emiliano Martinez smothered the winger’s effort.
Gordon had another chance following a counter-attack, but his deflected strike went over the crossbar.
It was from Kieran Trippier's corner that Newcastle took the lead on 32 minutes, with Schar getting in front of Ezri Konsa and finding the bottom-right corner from close range.
The defender then scored again four minutes later as he reacted quickest to a rebound. A deflected shot from Gordon cannoned off the crossbar and Schar poked it past Martinez to make it 2-0.
Newcastle continued to play on the break and scored a third when Alex Moreno put the ball into his own net from Miguel Almiron’s cross seven minutes into the second half.
The hosts pushed forward as they sought a way back into the game, and Villa did pull a goal back in the 71st minute when Watkins got on the end of a low cross from Leon Bailey.
Villa’s energy levels increased and Watkins thought he had scored a second goal two minutes later as he lifted the ball over Martin Dubravka and into the net, but it was ruled out for offside.
Sean Longstaff was denied a fourth goal for Newcastle as his shot from point-blank range was saved by Martinez, but it mattered not as the Magpies ended a run of four straight league defeats, moving them up to seventh on 32 points.
Villa stay fourth with 43 points, five behind leaders Liverpool having played one match more.
Club reports
Villa report | Newcastle report
Match officials
Referee: John Brooks. Assistants: Lee Betts, Akil Howson. Fourth official: Michael Salisbury. VAR: Andy Madley. Assistant VAR: Harry Lennard.
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