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The Magpies are United’s top four close rivals this season.
Newcastle United’s top-four dreams suffered a huge setback after a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa on Saturday.
The Magpies, whose five-match winning run came to a shuddering halt at Villa Park, have been beaten in the Premier League for only the fourth time this season.
Inspired by an in-form Ollie Watkins, Villa boosted their European hopes with the home win.
Meanwhile, the home side was ambitious from the first kick and broke the deadlock in the 11th minute. Jacob Ramsey – with a superb low finish - scored the opener. However, it was Watkin’s exceptional awareness and vision, after leaping high to nod the ball down for Ramsey, that created the goal.
Villa came close to stretching their lead in the 18th minute after confusion and poor communication between Nick Pope and Sven Botman. Emie Buendia almost capitalized on the confusion at the back, but he sent his shot over the bar.
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The Red Devils have already been linked with a number of top-level centre-forwards.
There was a nice build-up that involved Ashley Young, Buendia, and Alex Moreno in the 40th minute, but they failed to score from the chance. Moreno received the final pass and whipped it for Watkins, but Pope beat the Villa man to the ball and conceded a corner.
There was chaos that resulted from the corner after John McGinn’s cross hit Kieran Trippier’s shoulder before Newcastle finally cleared the danger.
The Magpies’ struggle persisted as the Villa’s fluidity proved a tough task to deal with.
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Varane on the other hand, is expected to return earlier after he and Martinez got injured on Thursday.
Villa thought they had scored the second a minute after the hour mark, but after a VAR check, Watkins’ goal was ruled out as he was slightly ahead of Newcastle's last line of defense.
After they were denied by VAR, Villa scored almost immediately. Watkins received a pass from Moreno and managed to slot home through the legs of Dan Burn in the 64th minute. The goal means Watkins has scored for a fourth consecutive game.
Villa put the game beyond Newcastle’s reach when they found the net for the third time in the 83rd minute. Watkins, who was a brilliant player all through the duel, was the scorer again. McGinn did well to free the ball to Buendia, who laid it on the path of Watkins, who then scored with a first-time touch.
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