Aston Villa v Newcastle player ratings: Watkins 6, Bailey 8; Schar 9, Gordon 7

Magpies end home side's unbeaten Premier League record at Villa Park this season with 3-1 win

ASTON VILLA RATINGS: Made game’s first save of note after 20 minutes to block Gordon shot but hopelessly exposed for all three goals as defence had night to forget. Prevented late fourth with fine stoShow more

Bombed forward when possible but kept finding himself running into the telescopic legs of Burn. One excellent interception on cross that was heading to Gordon’s feet in the box. Saw good strike saved Show more

Frustrated with teammates after Schar found himself free in the box for opening goal but no one in Villa’s defence covered themselves in glory in rare misfire at home. PA

Deflected Gordon shot over Martinez’s desperate leap and onto the cross bar before Schar tapped home rebound for second Newcastle goal. Last-ditch tackle denied Schar a hat-trick. Headed over in injurShow more

Part of a high Villa backline that was picked off regularly and easily with Murphy finding joy with runs behind the Spanish full-back from the start. Unfortunate own-goal to make it 3-0 when he also cShow more

Headed tough chance over bar just before break when surrounded by black and white shirts. Booked for reckless barge on Guimaraes. Shot straight at keeper late on. Getty Images

Lost his man when Schar put Newcastle in front in first half. Picked out Kamara with one lovely ball over defence that teammate failed to control. Booked for stupid shove on Murphy in what was night tShow more

One perfectly-timed run to pick up Luiz ball over top but first touch let him down. Booked after build-up of fouls in first half. Disappointing performance from Frenchman who was outshone by NewcastleShow more

Anonymous opening 45 from former Leicester City midfielder but put a nice slide-rule pass through to Watkins just after break that needed Dubravka to come out and block. PA

Had Villa Park groaning in opening half when he chose to cross rather than shoot and opportunity went begging. Rounded Dubravka on the hour only for Schar to clear his shot that was heading into net. Show more

Not a sniff on goal until 50th minute when Dubravka had to come out to block. Shot weakly at keeper from tight angle before ending a six-game barren run with a first-time finish to pull a goal back. DShow more

SUBS: (On for Diaby 63’) Brought on in triple change with Villa 3-0 down and immediately livened up Villa and the home crowd. One silky turn to leave Burn in his wake and set up chance for Cash. GreatShow more

(On for Tielemans 63’) Boked in injury-time for poor tackle from behind on Guimaraes. PA

(On for Kamara 63’) Nothing like the impact of Bailey but helped Villa make lift a bit more uncomfortable for Newcastle late on. Has been linked with move this month to several clubs including NewcastShow more

NEWCASTLE RATINGS: One regulation save was only Villa shot in target in opening half. Had to be on toes to come and block Watkins charge on goal and made several good stops after break despite appeariShow more

Superb trademark ball into box allowed Schar to put Magpies in front for right-back courted by German giants Bayern Munich in recent weeks. Villa’s defence could not handle his crossing from start to Show more

Swiss defender scored quickfire double in first half with two close-range finishes. Denied unlikely treble by desperate Villa block in second. Also cleared goalbound Diaby shot out for corner at otherShow more

Dutchman brought his usual cool and calmness to Newcastle’s defence which looked rock solid until the introduction of the lively Bailey. Back to the form of last season and his injury problems. AP

Put his long legs to good use with some crunching tackles on Cash and made some well-timed interceptions. Caught out a couple of times by pace and skill of substitute Bailey and caught out ahead of ViShow more

Relentless in the Newcastle engine room and the midfield trio of Longstaff, Miley and Guimaraes were excellent, only showing some cracks in the last 20 minutes as Villa finally came alive. Almost madeShow more

Teenager, who has just signed a new long-term contract, continues to play like an experienced pro for the Magpies. Hugely impressive once again in Newcastle midfield. PA

Brazilian had game to forget in the weekend FA Cup win at Fulham but was much improved at Villa Park. Drew numerous fouls out of Villa and will have some bumps and bruises to show for his efforts in wShow more

Lovely ball over top that put Gordon through on goal in first half but teammate couldn’t finish chance. Saw shot spilled by Martinez that almost led to Newcastle scoring from rebound. Saw miss-hit shoShow more

Denied opening goal by combination of desperate defending and good Martinez block. Twice went close with deflected shots with one looping just over and the other hit the bar. Both would lead to goals.Show more

Swede, who scored brace in Magpies’ 5-1 opening day win over Villa, curled chance wide after Gordon had been crowded out of chance. Newcastle’s only fit striker limped off just before break in latest Show more

SUBS: (On for Isak 43’) Fabulous effort for third goal when he won his team back possession,continued his run down left, was picked out by Gordon before playing perfect ball across box that Moreno turShow more

(On for Miley 75’) Brought on to try and stem the threat of Bailey who had been causing havoc after his introduction ands can be happy with his efforts. PA Emil Krafth : N/A (On for Gordon 90+9’)

(On for Gordon 90+9') Getty Images

Newcastle United ended a four-game Premier League losing streak by defeating Aston Villa 3-1 in the Midlands on Tuesday.

Two close-range finishes in four first-half minutes from Fabian Schar put the Magpies in control before Alex Moreno's own goal after the break.

Ollie Watkins grabbed a consolation for the hosts, who lost in the league at Villa Park for the first time since last February.

They remain fourth but have played more games than leaders Liverpool and rivals Manchester City and will be caught by Tottenham if they beat Brentford on Wednesday.

Newcastle had lost six of their previous seven league games to slip away from the top four but victory lifted them to seventh, although still 11 points behind Villa.

They thrashed Villa 5-1 in the opening game of the season but since August the direction of travel for the two sides has been different.

Only Sheffield United had previously taken a point from Villa Park this season as Unai Emery's side mount a surprise Champions League charge, while the Magpies had won just once away.

"It was a big result for us today," said Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. "We knew all eyes were on us today. We've been on a disappointing run in the Premier League, especially away from home. We knew this is the hardest place to come in the league due to Villa's form.

"I thought we were the dominant team and just hoping a goal dropped for us. The third was a fabulous cushion for us."

Villa substitute Leon bailey, who made a huge impact after coming on in the second half, admitted his team had been second best.

"I couldn't tell exactly why it was missing tonight. They are a brilliant team," said the winger. "They play good football and have a brilliant structure.

"They were on it from the first moment and made us work a lot. Scoring two goals early gave us a lot of pressure to come back from.

"They played better than us and they deserved to be two goals up. But in the second half, being Aston Villa, there were hopes of getting an early goal and they got it."

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