BIRMINGHAM: It’s taken Newcastle United 30 games to finally have a Premier League off day — and they were lucky to escape Villa Park with just a three goal defeat.
An Ollie Watkins double and one from Jacob Ramsey ensured the Villains recorded their first five-game win streak since 1998, and in doing so ended an identical run for the Magpies, who flattered to deceive in the Midlands, especially given recent form.
Head coach Eddie Howe said: “I think it’s one of those performances that we need to analyze and move on quickly. We weren’t there today.
Villa did well but by our own standards we were off it. And if that’s the case you’re never going to win. “We had our moments but we weren’t at our best, that was obvious,” he continued. “We tried to make changes to get a grip on the game but nothing changed the force of the game.