PLAYER RATINGS: Bruno Guimaraes proves why his release clause is over £100m as Fabian Schar is the hero with two goals for Newcastle… while one Aston Villa player offered NOTHING during 3-1 defeat

Newcastle ended Aston Villa‘s 17-game home unbeaten streak in a 3-1 victory on Tuesday night.

Unai Emery‘s side were stunned as the Magpies ended their Villa Park hoodoo thanks to a brace from Fabian Schar and an own-goal from Alex Moreno.

Ollie Watkins pulled one back, and almost got another which was disallowed for offside, but Villa couldn’t pull off a stunning comeback to preserve their incredible home run.

There were some fantastic performances from the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon for Newcastle, while some of Aston Villa’s stars will have been asking themselves questions after a disappointing evening.

Mail Sport’s Craig Hope gives his verdict on the players in his match ratings. 

ASTON VILLA (4-4-2)

Emi Martinez 5

Newcastle had five shots on target and scored three goals, so doesn’t paint a great picture for the keeper.

Matty Cash 5

Lost the ball before Newcastle’s third goal and, for all his efforts to get forward, not a lot came from his endeavours.

Erzi Konsa 6

The pick of Villa’s defenders and made some timely interventions, but was also caught out trying to play offside trap too often.

Clement Lenglet 5

A torrid evening in the end – despite a brave block early on to deny certain goal – and offered very little composure at heart of backline.

Alex Moreno 5

Own goal summed up a luckless night when he got no joy down the left.

Alex Moreno’s own goal summed up a luckless night as he struggled down the left 

John McGinn 7

Carried his team on his own in the second half and his pass over top led to Villa’s goal. But Newcastle’s midfielders won this battle.

Boubacar Kamara 6

Did OK but, like McGinn, was outdone by the likes of Guimaraes.

Douglas Luiz 5.5

Lost Schar for all-important first goal and did not play to his usual standard.

Youri Tielemans 4

Did close to nothing and did well to last until the 63rd minute,

John McGinn carried his team on his own though Newcastle won the midfield battle

Youri Tielemans did nothing before he was hooked off the pitch after 63 minutes

Moussa Diaby 5

Didn’t do much more than Tielemans and crowd were frustrated when he passed up good shooting chance in first half. No surprise when he was hooked after the hour, too.

Ollie Watkins 6.5

Ended a six-game goal drought with tidy finish and might have had second if not for close offside call.

Subs

Jacob Ramsey (on for Kamara, 63) 6

Nicolo Zaniolo (on for Tielemans, 63) 5

Leon Bailey (on for Diaby, 63) 7

Ollie Watkins ended his goal drought and was unfortunate not to add a second goal

NEWCASTLE (4-3-3)

Martin Dubravka 7

A big save at 3-1 and did what he had to otherwise with minimum fuss. Form has picked up of late and Newcastle will stick with him beyond this month.

Kieran Trippier 7.5

Back to somewhere close to his best after a difficult December. Tielemans and Moreno could not get beyond him and two of his corners led to goals at other end.

Fabian Schar 8.5

Two close-range finishes to put his team in control in the first half, and his first in the Premier League since the opening day of last season. A typically cool display his goals apart. MOM.

Fabian Schar scored a rare double to give Newcastle a two-goal lead inside the first-half

Sven Botman 7

Less heralded than Schar given his parter’s goals, but the Dutch centre-back barely put a foot wrong. Newcastle look so much more assured with him in the side.

Dan Burn 7.5

A giant of a display early on as he blocked and intercepted on several occasions. It laid the foundations for a solid rearguard action.

Lewis Miley 7

Celebrated new long-term contract as part of midfield that set the tone for Newcastle’s best away performance of season. He helped win the ball just before his side’s third goal.

Bruno Guimaraes 8

His team needed him to step up in the second half and take control of the midfield, and he did. This is why the big clubs have all taken a look at him and why his release clause is north of £100m.

Sean Longstaff 7

Put a sticky run of league form behind him with a trademark performance of energy and intensity. Should have put the game to bed late on when firing at Martinez from close range but a good night for the midfielder.

Jacob Murphy 7

Only his second game back after a dislocated shoulder and recovered from nervy start to play key role down the right, forcing the third goal when his effort was turned in by Moreno.

Jacob Murphy played a key role down the right in just his second game from a lengthy spell out

Anthony Gordon was a menace all night and was a willing recipient of over-the-top balls

Alexander Isak 6.5

Had done well before indicating to bench he could not continue because of groin issue. A wonderful player, but prone to injury. Howe says he hopes it’s not too serious.

Anthony Gordon 8

It was a clear tactic to get him in behind and he was a willing recipient of those balls over the top. Never stopped running and was a real menace all night.

Subs

Miguel Almiron (for Isak, 43) 7

Tino Livramento (for Miley, 75)

Emil Krafth (for Gordon, 90)