The race for Champions League places in the Premier League has become even more tight with six teams now separated by three points only following Aston Villa’s 4-1 demolition of rivals, Newcastle United, in a Saturday evening kick-off at Villa Park.
Coming off a valiant exit from the Champions League at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in midweek, Villa got off to a flying start thanks to Ollie Watkins with a goal after only 33 seconds – the fastest in the league this season.
Watkins’ goal is the 10th goal scored in the opening minute of a Premier League match this season, which equals the 2022-23 season for the most first-minute goals in English top-flight history.
The England striker came close to doubling Villa’s lead after five minutes, taking down a flick-on from John McGinn and heading towards goal before lashing a shot against the Newcastle woodwork with Nick Pope beaten.
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Fabian Schar, against whom the ball deflected for Watkins’ opening goal for Villa, drew the Magpies back on level terms after 18 minutes as the Swiss defender headed in a cross from Harvey Barnes.
Following no further goals in the first half, Villa remained on top of proceedings, with Youri Tielemans having an effort from close range cleared off the line by Sandro Tonali 10 minutes into the second half.
Villa only needed 10 more minutes to find the back of the net and retake the lead, with Watkins going from scorer to provider, slipping a pass through for Ian Maatsen to smash in a shot for his first-ever Premier League goal.
It took 10 more minutes for Villa to inflict more damage on the visitors, scoring two goals in as many minutes through a Dan Burn own goal followed by a screamer by substitute, Amadou Onana, to seal a resounding result.
Villa move up to sixth with 57 points, level with fifth-placed Nottingham Forest and three points clear of seventh placed Chelsea – both teams have a game in hand. Newcastle on their part remain third for now with 59 points, a point ahead of Manchester City, who came away from Everton with a 2-0 win.