Newcastle beat Villa black and blue

Mueez Ajao

– Callum Wilson scored twice as Newcastle United continued their impressive form by thrashing Aston Villa at St James’ Park.

– With England boss Gareth Southgate in attendance, World Cup hopeful Wilson converted from the penalty spot six minutes into first-half injury time after Villa defender Ashley Young used his arm to block a Miguel Almiron effort.

– Wilson beat Villa’s substitute goalkeeper Robin Olsen from the spot after he replaced Emiliano Martinez, who was withdrawn after taking a blow to the head from team-mate Tyrone Mings.

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– The Newcastle striker doubled his side’s lead when he headed home from close range, with Joelinton and the in-form Almiron wrapping up a fifth win in six games for Eddie Howe’s side, who were denied a move up to third place in the table by Tottenham’s late winner at Bournemouth.

– Another scintillating attacking display capped a superb month for Newcastle, who took 16 points from a possible 18 in October.

– Playing a Premier League game while starting the day in the top four of the table for the first time since April 2012, Howe’s side underlined their status as contenders for a Champions League spot by stretching their unbeaten run to eight games.

– While a stop-start first half did not aid Newcastle’s fluency, the hosts upped the tempo towards the end, with Wilson beating Olsen from 12 yards to open the scoring.

– Wilson had a second goal ruled out for offside before the break, but he took his season’s tally to six when he nodded a Kieran Trippier cross in from close range.

– Joelinton scored his first goal of the season, pouncing on the rebound after Olsen had denied Wilson his hat-trick and Almiron capped a fine Newcastle display, scoring for the third game running when he brilliantly curled a shot into the net.