Villa failed to join Arsenal on 46 points after losing at home in the league for the first time since February last year.

Unai Emery’s men had won 16 of their 17 Premier League games at Villa Park since, but gave themselves a mountain to climb as Newcastle centre-back Fabian Schar scored twice from corners in the first half.

Newcastle had the second worst away record in the league before kick-off, but were cruising towards their first victory on the road since September when Alex Moreno turned into his own net under pressure from Jacob Murphy.

“It was mixed emotions for me because that team is an elite team. The mixed part is that we haven’t seen that for a number of weeks,” said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, whose squad has been ravaged by injuries this season.

“We looked much like ourselves and we have players coming back.”

Ollie Watkins reduced the arrears with his first goal for seven games and then had a second ruled out for offside.

But Villa are now looking over their shoulders in the race for a place in next season’s Champions League as Tottenham can leapfrog them into fourth with victory over Brentford on Wednesday.

Newcastle climb up to seventh and within 11 points of Villa.

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Twitter @StatmanDave