Eddie Howe insists Newcastle looked like an ‘ELITE team’ during their 3-1 win over Aston Villa and are ‘capable of achieving great things’ after looking ‘disjointed’ at times during the season

Eddie Howe says Newcastle looked like an ‘elite team’ as they inflicted Aston Villa’s first home defeat of the season.

The Magpies had won only once away from home in the Premier League this term but were full value for a 3-1 triumph, secured thanks to a double from Fabian Schar and Alex Moreno’s own goal.

Alexander Isak’s withdrawal because of a groin issue was the only sour note, leaving Howe with no fit strikers given Callum Wilson’s current calf absence.

But the head coach was thrilled with his team’s performance, returning them to the European places.

‘We looked like an elite team that’s capable of achieving great things,’ he said. ‘The mixed feeling is that we haven’t really seen it (this season away from home.

Newcastle won away from home in the league for just the second time this season against a side who had gone into the match unbeaten in 17 at Villa Park 

Fabian Schar netted twice before Alex Moreno put the ball into the back of his own net

‘The team, at points, has looked disjointed, but today we looked more like ourselves. It wasn’t just a big win, but a big performance. This was like us of last year. But we have to build on this now.’

Howe added: ‘Our game plan was to be aggressive and stop their rhythm, which we did in the first half. Also, to use our transitions and get in behind, knowing they play a high line. Fabian took his two goals brilliantly and he has that in him, he has great technical ability.’

Would Isak and Wilson’s absence force Newcastle into the transfer market before tomorrow’s deadline?

‘I expect us to be finished for the window,’ he said. ‘There’s very little time for us to do anything — either in or out. We don’t know the severity of Isak’s injury but hope it’s not too bad. But his injury isn’t likely to change things. I don’t think we have the ability to do that (sign someone).’

Meanwhile, Unai Emery was disappointed with his team’s sluggish start to the game.

‘The first half we didn’t control the game like we wanted and they were playing well and we have to accept that,’ he said.

‘Second half we scored the goal (to make it 3-1). We tried to score the second goal but, after the match, I told them I was proud of them, after a lot of matches successful here. We have to move on and try to move forward.’

Newcastle’s season has been disjointed, in large part due to injuries – with Alekxander Isak the latest player to come off the pitch during a match with an issue on Tuesday night

Newcastle will hope the win can spur them on to a much-improved second-half of the season

Emery confirmed that Middlesbrough forward Morgan Rogers is set to join in a deal rising to £15m.

‘We follow him with the scouts and I think he’s a young player with potential and hopefully tomorrow we can sign him and he can start a new chapter here,’ he said. ‘We are excited to work with him and hopefully he can progress here like we think he could do.’