Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle: Watkins Stars as Champions League Dream Lives On

Aston Villa bucked the trend with a second-half surge to up their Champions League winning chances, but the person stealing the show was Ollie Watkins.

At Villa Park, Aston Villa swept aside a top-five-has Newcastle United’s powerful opponent 4-1 to sufficiently hold on to their Champions League ambitions.

After a severe loss to PSG just five days before, Villa made a sensational return to Premier League action. This match saw Villa draw first blood when Ollie Watkins found the net on the very first minute of play.

Before halftime, however, the third-placed Newcastle managed to restore parity through a header from Fabian Schär, but post-half goals from Villa were obvious.

Ian Maatsen returned to take the lead, while Dan Burn’s own goal followed shortly after. Then, Amadou Onana finished the scoring with an unbelievable end to seal the three points.

The win brings Villa to sixth place on the table with a total of 57 points from 33 matches, three ahead of Chelsea and tied with Nottingham Forest, who play on Monday. The Seattle shores are now bristling with exciting competition as they battle for qualification to the great UEFA Champions League; Newcastle tailing fourth place, Manchester City by just a point on 59 points.

An incredible victory by the Villa

Aston Villa players celebrating second-half goal vs Newcastle

Aston Villa was quite awesome. Nottingham Forest has a game in hand; Aston Villa has some rough games to come, and they’re not quite in the top five yet.

That said, however, this team has every chance of qualifying for the Champions League, which would mean two of Newcastle, Forest, Manchester City, and Chelsea going out. Newcastle’s mettle will now be tested on how well they bounce back from this break in their winning streak.

The battle for Champions League qualification is heating up

Amadou Onana curls in Villa’s fourth goal against Newcastle

What does this result mean for the Champions League race? In other words, it immediately reintroduces Villa into the equation. Make sure to note the top five will be eligible.

Newcastle are still in third place, as with their 59 total points, one more than fourth-place Manchester City and their 58 counts. Nottingham Forest currently ties for fifth with Villa, which stands at sixth with 57 points. Chelsea occupies seventh with 54 points at present, and has one game in hand, taking on Fulham at Craven Cottage tomorrow.

The Champions League race gets fiercer now

Ian Maatsen battles for the ball with Bruno Guimarães

What indeed in the name of the Champions League states this particular result? Meaning, it brings back Villa into automatic contention. Remember that, under the top five.

Newcastle are still in third, with 59 points; one ahead of Manchester City, who now occupies fourth with 58. Nottingham Forest, holding with 57 points, is tied with Villa, at the moment at 57 points and positioned sixth. Chelsea holds the seventh place now, with 54, and a game yet to go since they are going to take on Fulham tomorrow.

Newcastle 4-1 Aston Villa Full Time

Fulham’s match at Villa Park came to an end after a genuine performance from the Villa side, especially in the second half. Ollie Watkins made a mark for himself after scoring as early as 33 seconds into the match.

Newcastle 4-1 Aston Villa — 90+3

Malen wanted to join in, but his effort missed the post by a whisker.

Newcastle 4-1 Aston Villa — 90

Villa asserts itself to finish: six minutes of AT.

Newcastle 4-1 Aston Villa — 87

Ramsey is booked for pulling back Livramento. Thereafter, Ramsey and Guimarães briefly tussled without ill will.

Newcastle 4-1 Aston Villa — 82

As subs are going on, Newcastle is adding Matt Targett. Three substitutes for Villa: Marcus Rashford, Ross Barkley and Donyell Malen take the places of Watkins, Rogers and Kamara.

Unai Emery mustered a double-substitution with just above 12 minutes in the game. Amadou Onana scored, then Jacob Ramsey came on and nearly scored. The score now tells the story; it was Villa on the day.