Newcastle United strengthened their case for European football at the expense of Aston Villa's continental hopes as the Magpies overcame the 10-man Lions 3-0 at St James' Park in the Premier League.
Kicking off their quest for another goal-laden win early doors, Eddie Howe's team needed just two minutes to draw first blood through a wonderful Anthony Gordon finish, which preceded a red card-worthy indiscretion from Villa's normally super South American.
After losing a duel with Fabian Schar, Jhon Duran stamped on the defender twice - the jury is still out on whether it was malicious/intentional - and the Colombian striker was given his marching orders by referee Anthony Taylor.
Duran was not the only one to be banished from the action - Magpies assistant Jason Tindall also saw red for something he said at half time - but his frown would have been turned upside down when the red-hot Alexander Isak doubled the hosts' lead on the stroke of the hour.
An injury-time Joelinton strike put the cherry on top as the Magpies solidified their fifth-placed ranking in the Premier League table, while Villa sit ninth and are five points adrift of the Champions League positions.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© IconSport
While Gordon's stunning second-minute finish and Isak's tap-in after a well-worked move should be the talk of the Toon tonight, debate may rage over whether Duran deserved to be dismissed.
The video evidence was irrefutable in one regard - the Colombian's studs clearly landed on Schar's body twice, but there did not appear to be a deliberate feel to it at first glance, and Duran was nothing short of apoplectic as he reluctantly left the field.
Playing with 10 men can sometimes galvanise a team, but not Unai Emery's side, who were fortunate not to suffer a heavier defeat in the North East and have now failed to win any of their last 16 Premier League games away to Newcastle.
NEWCASTLE VS. ASTON VILLA HIGHLIGHTS
Anthony Gordon goal vs. Aston Villa (2nd min, Newcastle 1-0 Aston Villa)
A CHRISTMAS CRACKER FROM ANTHONY GORDON! 🎄💥#PLonPrime #NEWAVL pic.twitter.com/McbCPPnZji
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 26, 2024
Gorgeous from Gordon. The Lions cheaply lose possession and Joelinton charges forward in the middle of the park before laying off his English colleague.
Matty Cash does not know whether to close down the angle or track Lewis Hall on the overlap, and Gordon takes full advantage, curling a wonderful strike into the top corner.
Jhon Duran red card vs. Newcastle (32nd min, Newcastle 1-0 Aston Villa)
Jhon Duran has been SENT OFF and Aston Villa are down to 10 men at St James' Park!
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 26, 2024
Did he deserve a red card here?#PLonPrime #NEWAVL pic.twitter.com/LWQIBwMO88
The man who has been making headlines for all the right reasons in a Villa jersey is now in the spotlight for a wrong one!
Duran and Schar initially engage in a fair tussle for the ball; the latter gets there first and deals with the danger, but the Colombian stamps on the Newcastle defender twice while Schar is on the ground.
Deliberate? Only he will know, but Taylor sees fit to send him for an early bath.
Alexander Isak goal vs. Aston Villa (59th min, Newcastle 2-0 Aston Villa)
Newcastle CUT THROUGH Aston Villa ♨️
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 26, 2024
A simple tap-in for Alexander Isak to double the hosts' lead!#PLonPrime #NEWAVL pic.twitter.com/rXhoNHZAEK
Alexander the great strikes again, and the points are surely staying at St James' Park! Newcastle work the ball wonderfully down the right as Bruno Guimaraes finds the run of Jacob Murphy with a delightful through ball.
The Magpies winger has the simple task of squaring for Isak, who holds his run to perfection and cannot miss with the goal gaping. That is 30 Premier League goal contributions in 2024 for the Scandinavian sensation!
Joelinton goal vs. Aston Villa (90+1 min, Newcastle 3-0 Villa)
⚫️⚪️ A Christmas Three for @NUFC!
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 26, 2024
A stunning finish, Joelinton! 💫#PLonPrime #NEWAVL pic.twitter.com/yy0VuooSyb
That is what you call a peach of a strike.
Joelinton picks the ball up in the left half-space, and no Villa player seems interested in winning the ball back or closing him down. Fatal error.
The Brazilian curls a sumptuous strike into the top corner with Emiliano Martinez stranded to the spot.
MAN OF THE MATCH - JOELINTON
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Travelling home for the evening with a goal and assist under his belt, Joelinton made his presence felt early doors, laying off Gordon to open the scoring with a sublime strike.
The South American may very well claim that his clincher was even better than the winger's opener, though, as he opened his body up and found the top corner with panache and precision. Too hot for Villa to handle.
NEWCASTLE VS. ASTON VILLA MATCH STATS
Possession: Newcastle 63%-37% Aston Villa
Shots: Newcastle 22-4 Aston Villa
Shots on target: Newcastle 8-1 Aston Villa
Corners: Newcastle 9-6 Aston Villa
Fouls: Newcastle 15-10 Aston Villa
BEST STATS
3 - Anthony Gordon has scored or assisted in three consecutive Premier League appearances for the first time. Flash. pic.twitter.com/EATd6CqsOy
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 26, 2024
Alexander Isak has scored 10 goals in his last 10 matches.
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 26, 2024
One of the most complete CFs around. 💫 pic.twitter.com/2yyh75RYh7
WHAT NEXT?
Both closing out 2024 and opening 2025 with daunting tests, Newcastle head to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Monday, before a lunchtime trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 4.
As for Villa, Emery's men host Brighton & Hove Albion on December 30 and face a friendly beginning to 2025, hosting Leicester City in two Saturdays' time.
Ben Knapton
