Aston Villa vs Newcastle LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Magpies claim vital three points

Ah, the enduring lure of the Premier League. Welcoming Newcastle should have been the home banker to end all home bankers for an Aston Villa side with nine wins and one draw from 10 Villa Park league matches, again a team with a seemingly incurable bout of hodophobia, out to avoid a fifth successive league defeat – a run they have not endured in over four years.

Very quickly, however, the script was torn apart by a battle-weary Newcastle fully deserving of a first league victory on the road since September, as Villa slipped to a first home league loss in just under a year. Only in the Barclays.

This was a hotly-anticipated battle of the two sides tipped to be the main threat to the Premier League establishment. Both are huge clubs in their own right, but the riches and global appeal of the “Big Six” have made it almost impossible to win a seat at the top table.

90+9 mins: There goes the final whistle. It’s a big three points for Newcastle who end their four game losing streak with a victory are Villa Park.

In the first half they were by far the better team and they only built on that performance. Eddie Howe said in the build-up that Newcastle were aiming to finish in the top four.

Based on this performance, they could possibly do it.

90+6 mins: The head of steam that Aston Villa built up following Watkins’ goal has all but evaporated. Newcastle have more than enough men behind the ball with Eddie Howe having reinforced the defensive line.

It’s hard work for Villa to break Newcastle down now.

90+3 mins: Aston Villa are pushing for the next goal but they’re massively open on the counter-attack when they throw everyone forward.

Another goal for Newcastle kills off the game, one for Villa reignites it.

90 mins: Nine minutes of added time to play at Villa Park! Time enough for a Villa comeback.

88 mins: Aston Villa are running out of time now. Newcastle are stepping onto the front foot once again and could score a fourth goal.

Sean Longstaff is fed into the box with a one-on-one but his effort is fizzed straight at Emi Martinez who keeps it out!

83 mins: John McGinn finds Matty Cash over on the right wing and the full-back whips in a cross. Ollie Watkins tries to get to the ball in the air but he’s beaten by Martin Dubravka who plucks the ball safely into his own hands.

80 mins: 10 minutes plus added time to play at Villa Park. The hosts need another goal as soon as possible to have any hopes of rescuing a draw out of this match.

Newcastle have weathered the storm well. They’re slowing the tempo down and trying to manage the game.

77 mins: Newcastle are fighting back. Another corner ball drops for Fabian Schar who comes agonisingly close to a hat-trick but sees his prodded effort turned wide by Clement Lenglet.

73 mins: Ollie Watkins scores again! He’s threaded the ball as he makes a run through the middle of the Newcastle centre-backs. With the defenders beaten, Watkins waits for the goalkeeper to come out then flicks it over his body to find the back of the net.

However, the offside flag goes up and VAR confirms that the goal should be chalked off.