Newcastle comfortable at Premier League’s top table after 4-0 win over Aston Villa

NEWCASTLE: If anyone in the Premier League remained in any doubt after last week, Newcastle United underlined to their rivals that they are very much part of the top flight party.

For far too long the Magpies have been passengers in the Premier League — present but not a threat to anyone, and all too happy to just exist.

But with the Public Investment Fund now at the helm, and Eddie Howe at the wheel, those days are long gone.

And it is becoming every bit more obvious by the week just why the established, so-called “big six,” and others with aspirations, fought so hard to make sure that the PIF did not get their hands on Newcastle.

Their wings were once clipped, but now the Magpies are flying high — and doing so with real purpose.

This was a rampant win, one done at a canter — and one that left many Newcastle fans flooding the city center on Saturday evening asking “is this what it feels like to actually be good?”

Callum Wilson netted twice against the Villains, who were 4-0 winners themselves last weekend, and Miguel Almiron made it seven for the season, with Joelinton getting a well-deserved first, as Newcastle made it five wins in six.

But for a narrow Spurs win over Bournemouth, the Magpies would be sitting in third place. As it stands, though, they had to settle for fourth — a remarkable statement in itself, given recent footballing history on Tyneside.

With England and Brazil bosses Gareth Southgate and Tite watching on from the stands — a first for St. James’ Park — Howe picked an unchanged team from the XI who beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 last weekend.

And in usual style, the Magpies started the game very much on the front foot.

After just three minutes, Newcastle swarmed down the right as Almiron found