Buendia scores stunning goal as Aston Villa beat Newcastle 2-0

A brilliant first-half strike from Emiliano Buendia and a late goal by Ollie Watkins gave Aston Villa a 2-0 Premier League win at Newcastle United on Sunday that kept the pressure on second-placed Manchester City as the title race gathers pace.

Villa moved back level with City, who beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 on Saturday, on 46 points, with the two sides four points behind leaders Arsenal, who host Manchester United later on Sunday.

Buendia opened the scoring in the 19th minute, crowning a slick Villa attack swept from one side of the field to the other. The 29-year-old picked up the ball on the edge of the box and flashed a stunning right-foot shot past Nick Pope and into the net.

Roared on by the home crowd, Newcastle pressed forward strongly looking for an equaliser but it was Watkins who had the last word for Villa, ghosting in at the far post to head home in the 88th minute and seal the win.