WAT A WAY TO SINK RIVALS

Ollie leads by example as Villa rut on four-some display in Euro pursuit

- By Ian Baker

OLLIE WATKINS scored one and made one as Aston Villa produced a Champions League statement of intent.

After exiting Europe's elite competition, despite a fine display against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, Villa ran riot to move firmly into the reckoning for re-qualification.

They took their rivals apart in another breathtaking Villa Park performance.

And it was Watkins who instigated it on his return to the side as Marcus Rashford was left on the bench.

The England striker netted after just 33 seconds, hit the woodwork twice and then set up Ian Maatsen for the key third goal of the game after Fabian Schar had levelled for Newcastle.

Villa then added further goals after Dan Burn put into his own net and sub Amadou Onana scored a cracker, Unai Emery's men are now sixth but only two points behind the thirdplaced Toon.

Jason Tindall took charge of Newcastle for a third game running in the absence of Eddie Howe, who is recovering from pneumonia.