Aston Villa produced a sensational performance to beat Newcastle United at Villa Park and lay down a marker in the race for the top five and Champions League qualification.

Ollie Watkins became Villa's joint-top Premier League goalscorer - alongside Gabriel Agbonlahor - on 74 when his shot took a wicked deflection off Fabian Schar after just 33 seconds.

Newcastle levelled in the 18th minute when Schar met Harvey Barnes' deep, curling cross and headed through the legs of Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez.

But in the 64th minute Watkins sent in full-back Ian Maatsen who deservedly restored Villa's lead with a cool dink over the goalkeeper.

Villa added a third in the 73rd minute when Jacob Ramsey's pass across goal bounced in off Newcastle defender Dan Burn.

And a fourth came moments later through substitute Amadou Onana's stunning strike which found the top corner from the edge of the box.

Villa's convincing win lifts them to sixth in the table, level on points with fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

Newcastle remain third but are now just two points ahead of Villa with five games of the season remaining. (myjoyonline)