![]() Watkins was, unsurprisingly, heavily involved as the striker rose above Kieran Trippier to get his head on John McGinn's cross at the back post to knock the ball down to the unmarked Jacob Ramsey, who lashed home. If that was an early warning, well, Newcastle did not heed it as the visitors made yet another sloppy start on the road and Villa took the lead in the 11th minute. There were less than 30 seconds on the clock when Watkins was sent clear far too easily and the striker clipped the post when the ball looked like it was destined for the net. Newcastle may statistically have had the meanest defence in the Premier League, but you would not have known it. The Villa frontman is the most in-form striker in the league - no one has been directly involved in more goals in 2023 - and Newcastle simply could not live with the 27-year-old. Newcastle's defenders had plenty of advanced warning about Ollie Watkins. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe applauds the visiting fans after the defeat to Aston Villa (Image: Getty Images) Ollie Watkins runs riot as defence crumbles It said it all that Villa had more possession, three times as many shots on target and nearly three times as many corners as Newcastle suffered their heaviest loss since a 5-0 defeat at Man City last May. It was an uncharacteristic performance from Newcastle who were shaky at the back, meek off the ball, wasteful in possession and blunt in front of goal. Remarkably, Emery's side had won seven of their last eight fixtures before the visit of Newcastle, keeping five clean sheets in the process.Īs Callum Wilson put it: "Looks like we're going to have to put the fire out." Yet sluggish Newcastle were overwhelmed by rampant Villa, who played with a greater intensity from literally the first minute - and the visitors could not cope. You had to go back to February for the last time Villa had lost a game and, even then, that was against league leaders Arsenal. Newcastle were certainly facing a very different Villa team to the one the Magpies thumped 4-0 in the reverse fixture six months earlier when interim boss Aaron Danks was in charge. Just as Howe has transformed Newcastle's fortunes, Emery has also made quite an impact, too. Even serial winner Emery, himself, paid tribute to how Howe had built 'one of the best teams' in the Premier League on the eve of this game. ![]() Eddie Howe was understandably 'very thankful' for Unai Emery turning down Newcastle, but the Magpies boss has long proved that he belongs in the same company. It was a reunion with a difference on Saturday as the two men shortlisted for the Newcastle job faced off on the touchline - nearly 18 months after doing battle during their respective interviews. READ MORE: Aston Villa vs Newcastle United highlights Newcastle overwhelmed by Unai Emery's Villa Here are five things we learned from the game. Jacob Ramsey gave the dominant hosts the lead in the 11th minute before man of the match Ollie Watkins grabbed a second-half double on an afternoon where Newcastle were repeatedly taken apart far too easily. Newcastle United have suffered their heaviest defeat of the campaign following a 3-0 loss against Aston Villa at Villa Park as the Magpies' winning run came to an abrupt end.
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