Newcastle United 4-0 Aston Villa

Aston Villa conceded three goals in 11 second-half minutes as they suffered a 4-0 defeat to high-flying Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

The Villans, who saw goalkeeper Emi Martínez substituted following a blow to the head, matched the Magpies in an evenly-balanced first half but fell behind to Callum Wilson’s penalty in the sixth minute of injury time.

But the in-form hosts, unbeaten on home soil this term, struck three times in quick succession after the restart to put the contest out of reach, Wilson heading home a second before Joelinton converted from a rebound and Miguel Almiron curled in from distance.

Wilson was denied a hat-trick as he headed against the crossbar and substitute Jacob Murphy struck a post as Villa’s search for an away win this term continued.

Defeat extended Villa’s dismal record on Tyneside having now registered just one win in their last 21 visits in all competitions since the turn of the century, with that coming in 2005.

The Villans, who welcome the arrival of newly-appointed head coach Unai Emery next week, host Manchester United at Villa Park next Sunday.

First-team coach Aaron Danks named an unchanged starting XI for the clash, keeping faith with the same line-up who recorded an impressive 4-0 triumph at home to Brentford last weekend, with fit-again full-back Lucas Digne named among the substitutes.

Wilson headed over an early opportunity for the hosts but Villa made a strong start to the opening exchanges in the north-east.

Martínez saved from Joelinton’s long-range strike and sustained a blow to the head in the process of collecting the rebound, requiring lengthy treatment, before compatriot Emi Buendía also went down hard having been thwarted by Dan Burn at the opposite end.

Having gone to ground for a second time shortly afterwards, Martínez was replaced by Robin Olsen in the 35^th minute.

And it was the Sweden international who denied Almiron in the 44^th minute as the hosts carved out the clearest opening yet.

It was a first half which saw 10 minutes injury time, during which the Magpies opened the scoring courtesy of Wilson’s spot-kick after a sliding Young was penalised for handball from Almiron’s attempted strike.

Wilson made it 2-0 in the 56^th minute as Kieran Trippier exchanged a short corner with Almiron and dinked a cross into the six-yard box for the striker to head home off the inside of the far post.

And the home side added another almost immediately as Olsen saved Wilson’s initial effort but Joelinton was on hand to fire home the rebound.

Philippe Coutinho and Jacob Ramsey were introduced before Almiron curled into the far corner from 25 yards to make it 4-0 in the 67^th minute.

Digne made his return off the bench soon afterwards along with John McGinn, with Wilson denied a hat-trick as he saw his header rebound off the crossbar.

Newcastle sub Murphy then struck a post from the edge of the penalty area as the home side ran out comfortable winners.