13’
26’
First-half goals from Ollie Watkins and Bertrand Traore earned Aston Villa a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United that moves them up to eighth in the table.
Villa went ahead on 13 minutes when Fabian Schar's attempted clearance from a left-wing cross looped into the path of Watkins, who headed in from close range.
The hosts doubled their lead three minute before half-time when Jack Grealish teed up Traore, who crashed a sidefooted effort in off the crossbar.
Villa looked the more likely to score again, with Douglas Luiz shooting wide after Watkins' strike was saved by Karl Darlow shortly into the second half.
The introductions of Ryan Fraser and Allan Saint-Maximin gave Newcastle impetus, with Fraser’s 72nd-minute shot blocked, but the visitors couldn’t pull a goal back.
A win and a third successive home clean sheet take Villa up to 29 points.
Newcastle are without a win in nine matches and drop to 16th, with 19 points.
See: Villa report | Newcastle report
Next fixtures
Villa: 27 Jan v Burnley (A)
Newcastle: 26 Jan v Leeds (H)
Match officials
Referee: Simon Hooper. Assistants: Dan Robathan, Derek Eaton. Fourth official: Mike Dean. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Dan Cook.
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