THE NOTEBOOK: Newcastle FINALLY end their Villa Park hoodoo
Newcastle enjoyed a memorable win away at Aston Villa on Tuesday night as they ended a run of four straight defeats with a 3-1 victory.
Fabian Schar was the unlikely scorer of a brace in the first half as the Magpies went into the break 2-0 up - before nabbing a third shortly after the interval after Alex Moreno put the ball into his own net.
Villa threatened to mount an unthinkable comeback in the second period when Ollie Watkins pulled one back - but the home side did not have enough in the tank.
The result eases the pressure on Eddie Howe and deals a huge blow to Unai Emery and his bid for an incredible top four finish this season.
Mail Sport's CRAIG HOPE was present at Villa Park on Tuesday and on hard to point out some things you may not have noticed from the game.
MAGPIES END VILLA PARK HOODOO
The last time a Newcastle player had scored a Premier League goal here was 10 years ago. Villa Park has not been the happiest of hunting grounds. The Magpies were relegated here in 2009 under Alan Shearer and all but relegated following a goalless draw with Rafa Benitez as manager seven years later.
This, then, was something of a surprise. Even more of a surprise was the sight of Fabian Schar scoring twice. They were his first Premier League goals since the opening day of last season.
HOWE COULD BE FORCED BACK INTO THE MARKET
It was all going so well for Newcastle until Alexander Isak pulled up injured towards the end of the first half and was replaced by Miguel Almiron (who will be staying at the club amid Saudi interest).
But Isak's loss means Eddie Howe now has no fit strikers available to him, with Callum Wilson still sidelined with a calf problem.
The Magpies, we were told, are closed for business this window. That may have to
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