Last season Newcastle played in the Champions League, only to miss out on European football for this campaign. But this victory, their third in a row in the league and fourth successive win in all competitions, raises hopes of a return to continental football for 2025-26.
Since losing 4-2 at Brentford on 7 December, Newcastle have scored 14 goals in four games, with a pair of 4-0 wins over Leicester and Ipswich in the league to add to this Boxing Day success, plus a 3-1 win over Brentford to move into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
“I have to complement the players and how well they are playing, it is a good set of results and performances,” said boss Eddie Howe.
“We looked like we could score at any moment, the attacking players have their confidence back, which is great to see, and we look in a great place.
“Alexander Isak has unbelievable quality. He’s the right age, has the right athletic profile, I signed him and love him. I wouldn’t swap him for anyone.”
Against Ipswich, the Magpies scored after only 26 seconds, and Howe’s side again got off to a flying start with Tonali and Joelinton playing vital roles before England international Gordon scored his fourth goal of the campaign.
Duran has netted 12 goals this season, including the winner in a memorable 1-0 Champions League victory against Bayern Munich, but will now miss Villa’s next three games, all of which are at home – the Premier League matches versus Brighton and Leicester and the FA Cup third-round tie with West Ham.
Newcastle piled on the pressure after Duran’s dismissal with Schar being denied by Martinez, who later produced a superb save to deny Tonali.
The hosts thought they had got a second when Isak pulled the ball back and Bruno Guimaraes finished, but Isak had failed to keep the ball in play before passing.
An altercation at half-time saw Newcastle assistant manager Jason Tindall dismissed, while Villa brought on Ollie Watkins in an attempt to rescue the game.
But the England striker saw little of the ball as Newcastle used their man advantage well. After Isak’s 59th-minute effort made it 2-0, the Swede then had a goal disallowed, before Jacob Murphy hit the crossbar from eight yards out with the goal unguarded.
Newcastle thought they had got a third late on when Ezri Konsa’s clearance bounced in off Guimaraes, although it was ruled out as the ball had hit the Brazilian’s elbow.
But the third goal eventually did come in the 92nd minute from Joelinton as the home fans celebrated a fully deserved three points, with Villa having a day to forget.
