Buendia brilliance ends Villa’s St James’ Park drought as Emery’s side match City

Aston Villa brought an end to their long wait for a Premier League victory at St James’ Park as goals from Emiliano Buendia and Ollie Watkins secured a deserved 2-0 win over Newcastle United, Sport360NG reports.

The visitors had not won on Tyneside since a notorious clash in 2005, but Unai Emery’s side once again underlined their credentials as the division’s most effective travellers with a composed and clinical display.

Buendia gave Villa the lead in the 19th minute, producing a moment of real quality to quieten the home crowd. After collecting a lay-off from Morgan Rogers, the Argentine lifted an exquisite effort over Nick Pope from outside the area, leaving the Newcastle goalkeeper helpless.

Newcastle had chances of their own, particularly early on, when Sandro Tonali weaved through the Villa defence inside the opening minute, only for Emiliano Martínez to deny him at close range. Martínez was called upon again before the break, stretching to keep out a Lewis Miley header as the hosts searched for a way back into the contest.

Villa, however, always looked dangerous on the counter. Pope twice denied Watkins with sharp saves, but the England forward was not to be kept quiet. With time running out, Watkins rose unmarked to head home Lucas Digne’s cross, sealing the points and sparking jubilant scenes in the away end as Villa drew level on points with second-placed Manchester City.

The second goal prompted a steady stream of Newcastle supporters towards the exits on an afternoon that fell flat for the home side, who would have moved ahead of Liverpool with victory.

Newcastle’s difficulties were compounded by the absence of captain Bruno Guimarães, who was not risked after suffering an ankle injury in midweek. The hosts again struggled to impose themselves without their influential midfielder, failing to seriously test Martínez during a frustrating second half.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – JANUARY 25: Emi Buendia of Aston Villa scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Aston Villa at St James’ Park on January 25, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey – AVFC/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)

Attention now turns to Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain, where Newcastle hope Guimarães will return, especially after Joelinton was forced off late on with a groin problem.

For Villa, the win was a timely response to last weekend’s home defeat by Everton and further evidence of Emery’s well-rounded attack. Buendia’s stunning opener highlighted their threat from distance, while Watkins’ late header underlined their potency in the penalty area.

With goals coming from all angles, Villa continue to look a formidable proposition, home or away, as their impressive season gathers momentum.