Having consolidated their place in the top four with five consecutive PL victories, Newcastle travelled to the West Midlands full of confidence, with UEFA Champions League qualification firmly in their grasp. However, a trip to Villa Park against European-chasing Aston Villa - on a four-match winning run of their own - promised to be a stern test for the Magpies, and this was reflected inside the opening minute, as Watkins raced through on goal and rolled a low strike against the base of the post.
Roared on by the fervent home support, Villa continued to attack in pursuit of an opener, and their early dominance was rewarded in the 11th minute as a clever cushioned header from Watkins fell into the path of Jacob Ramsey, who rifled a clinical first-time finish beyond Nick Pope. Intent on pressing home their advantage, the Villans came within inches of doubling their lead before the half-hour mark as Ramsey fired a close-range strike against the bar, before Watkins saw another effort superbly thwarted by the outstretched boot of Pope.
Despite the onslaught from the relentless hosts, Newcastle kept the deficit to just a single goal going into the interval, as Eddie Howe turned to Callum Wilson and Miguel Almirón in the hope of injecting some urgency into the visitors’ attacking play. The double-change for the Magpies almost had an immediate impact, with Wilson, Alexander Isak, and Almirón all going close to finding a leveller before the hour mark.
Undeterred by Newcastle’s improved second-half showing, Villa doubled their lead in the 64th minute through the talismanic Watkins. An excellent cut-back from the marauding Álex Moreno found the English striker, who turned Dan Burn in the six-yard box, before finishing with ease into the bottom corner. This killed any hopes of a late Newcastle comeback, and Watkins added his second of the afternoon in the closing stages, directing a low effort under the body of Pope.
The result sees Villa move within six points of the top four as they target European qualification for the first time since 2011, while Newcastle remain third after a first league defeat in six matches.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
