11 mins: Leander Dendoncker's cross from the right was nodded down by the falling Ollie Watkins with Kieran Trippier in attendance and Ramsey drove the ball low with his left foot into the Holte End goal from 10 yards. 0-1

Half time: Villa 1 Magpies 0

64 mins: John McGinn passed to Alex Moreno on the left of the box and his low cross found Watkins who had far too much time to swivel, turn Dan Burn and shoot past Nick Pope from just outside the six yard box.

Ashley Young retreated into the middle of the pitch before goading the away following with outstretched arms and shouts. Very brave. At least Neil Lennon had the temerity to do his legendary wind-up right in front of the Newcastle fans. It's hoped that Young ultimately gets a similar comeuppance.... 0-2

83 mins: Elliot Anderson was tackled down the United left and McGinn took the ball to the byline before his cross was helped on by Emiliano Buendia at the near post. That reached Watkins, who hit a grass cutter beyond Pope via a Kieran Trippier deflection into the far corner of the net. 0-3

Full time: Villa 3 Magpies 0

Five successive victories had re-ignited Newcastle's top four challenge after their Carabao Cup Final diversion and the inevitable defeat at Pep Guardiola's defending champions. However that winning run came to an abrupt end here, a slick Villa side inflicted our heaviest defeat in almost a year. 

Having turned down the opportunity to succeed Steve Bruce before Howe was appointed, Villa manager Unai Emery looked on as his current side deservedly dominated from the first whistle.   

Seeking their fourth successive home victory and clean sheet at Villa Park, the hosts almost made a perfect start when Ollie Watkins shot beyond Nick Pope and struck a post after 30 seconds. 

That just delayed the inevitable though, Jacob Ramsey driving in an 11th minute opener and only the woodwork and Pope prevented further home goals before the interval. A Newcastle side showing one change from that which won at Brentford - Anthony Gordon in for the unwell Sean Longstaff - were caught cold again, with only some piercing runs from Jacob Murphy with no end product and a neat turn and shot by Alexander Isak to show for their efforts. The anti-Lobby sect were very quiet.

Fortunate to be just one goal behind at the break for the second successive Saturday, there was to be no resurgence of the type witnessed a week ago, with no half time changes made today. 

The visitors continued in much the same vein as before: second best and unable to prevent Villa exploiting acres of space as they sprayed confident passes across the field; Emiliano Buendia revelling in the freedom, John McGinn similarly unchecked and 37 year-old Ashley Young probably having his least stressful game since playing his part in our relegation here almost 14 years ago.

Showing little discernible improvement, alterations came just before the hour; Murphy and Joe Willock hooked for Callum Wilson and fit-again Miguel Almiron. That brought an immediate uplift from United; Wilson almost netting with his first touch before an offside flag was raised, Isak forcing Emiliano Martinez into a save and Almiron firing into the side netting.

However the revival proved to be short-lived, Villa netting through Watkins before VAR confirmed an offside, only for the same player to have time and space to turn and shoot from the next attack.

The in-form forward grabbed his second and Villa's third of the afternoon in the closing moments, an elated home crowd celebrating a fifth successive win and Villa's best run in the top flight since 1998 as some of the travelling support began to drift away - it's been a while since that happened...

Delight for Emery and despair for Howe then, who has some big decisions to make when determining which eleven players line up against Spurs at SJP next weekend - Burn and Willock particularly vulnerable but few players leaving here with any credit today. Those seeking to praise the Villa boss and denigrate the Newcastle one may be advised to check the table after 38 games though.

If there is a positive to be taken from becoming Villa's latest victims, it's that they have the ability and opportunity to do so against both Manchester United and Spurs in the coming weeks - and aid our cause, assuming their own charge has come marginally too late. Brighton meanwhile remain a lower profile but credible threat, making their visit to SJP as significant as that of Spurs.

Help came from an unexpected source later on Saturday, as Howe's old club Bournemouth pulled off a potentially priceless 3-2 victory at Spurs - their added time winner and our favourable VAR decision the twin high points of an otherwise dismal day when there was nothing to cheer.

Manchester United's 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Sunday saw Newcastle drop a place to fourth, but it's still all to play for and this loss was hardly the end of the world, unlike previous misadventures on Witton Lane.

Biffa