Premier League 2025-26: Buendia and Watkins score as Aston Villa beat Newcastle United

A brilliant first-half strike from Emiliano Buendia and a late goal from Ollie Watkins gave Aston Villa a 2-0 win in the 2025/26 Premier League over Newcastle United on Sunday, keeping the pressure on second-placed Manchester City as the title race gathers pace.

Argentine Buendia’s brilliant shot put Villa on course for victory, but Eddie Howe’s Newcastle entered into a brutal battle for the three points. Villa moved level on points 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.

“We knew how difficult they made it for the opponents, we fought for every ball and were patient with the ball,” Buendia said. BBC.

Buendia opened the scoring in the 19th minute, capping off a slick Villa attack that moved from one end of the pitch to the other. The 29-year-old picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area and fired a stunning right-foot shot past Nick Pope and into the net.

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Cheered on by the home crowd, Newcastle pressed hard in search of an equalizer, but it was Watkins who had the final say for Villa, coming in at the far post to head home in the 88th minute to seal the victory.

After securing a 1-0 win over Hungarian side Ferencvaros on Thursday, Villa had little time to prepare for the match against Newcastle.

“It’s a difficult schedule for us, but it’s what we want to do: play in European competitions and fight for these places in the Premier League, so we have to adapt, fight and play and recover and go again,” Buendia said.

«Opening the match with goals like that can turn the momentum of the match in our favor. I’m very happy and we deserved the three points,» he added.

Published on January 25, 2026