Aston Villa bounced back from their Champions League disappointment with a convincing 4-1 victory against a strong Newcastle side as Unai Emery’s team showed their determination to return to the top tier of European football.
Just four days after a heartbreaking loss in the quarter-final match against Paris St Germain, Aston Villa played exceptionally well to end Newcastle's six-game winning streak.
The game started with Ollie Watkins scoring only 33 seconds in, and despite Fabian Schar's equalizer, Villa stayed focused and secured the win with goals from Ian Maatsen and two inspired substitutions from Emery.
Villa now sits in sixth place after this important win, narrowing the gap with third-placed Newcastle to just two points. They will next face Manchester City and Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-final.
Watkins, who was back in the lineup, made an immediate impact with his goal early in the match, setting the tone for Villa's performance.
The game saw plenty of action, with Watkins having several chances to score, and even though Newcastle tried to fight back, Villa's strong performance ultimately led them to victory.
Emery made strategic changes during the game, bringing in new players who made significant contributions to the team's success.
Overall, it was a well-deserved win for Villa as they continue to push for a top-four finish in the league.