Here are your Newcastle United evening headlines on Sunday, April 16.
Newcastle moment away from TV cameras at full-time puts Spurs to shame and should give hope
The away end was still crowded, still singing, still clapping. Newcastle United had just suffered a 3-0 defeat against Aston Villa yet not even the crackling sound system could drown out the sound of the travelling fans chanting: "Who's that team we call United? Who's that team we all adore? We play in black and white and we all know how to fight. We'll support you ever more!"
These same supporters had seen their side defeat Wolves, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, West Ham and Brentford during a five-game winning streak that reignited the club's push for the Champions League before Saturday's defeat at Villa Park. Perspective was needed. This was a rare off-day that must serve as a wake-up call after Newcastle were uncharacteristically second-best all over the park to Eddie Howe's surprise.
"When you're in my shoes, you want to see a representation of your work and the basic fundamentals of a good performance: our work ethic and commitment and desire to win the game," the Newcastle boss told reporters. "I'm not saying that wasn't there from the players on a level, but we were just a yard off. We were just a yard off in every phase of play and that's difficult to watch when you know your team is better than what it's showing."
Eddie Howe has already told his Newcastle United players what they must do after Aston Villa capitulation
Eddie Howe has urged his Newcastle United stars to quickly move on from their 3-0 defeat against Aston Villa.
The Magpies suffered their heaviest defeat of the season at Villa Park as Unai Emery's side became only the third team to inflict defeat on Newcastle in the Premier League. Howe insisted he was already looking ahead to next Sunday's encounter with Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park.
Speaking in his Press conference after the game with Aston Villa, Howe said: "We were off our best levels today, right from the start. "Aston Villa are a good team and we never got going. "We've been consistently excellent this season, today is the first dip we've had; it can happen and we have to react."
Read what Howe had to say here.
Gabby Agbonlahor taunts Newcastle after Aston Villa defeat and questions Champions League credentials
Gabby Agbonlahor has mocked Newcastle United's Champions League aspirations after watching Aston Villa inflict the Magpies' heaviest defeat of the season. The talkSPORT pundit could not resist the opportunity to taunt the Toon Army after Unai Emery's side recorded an emphatic 3-0 victory on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams went into the clash at Villa Park in good form, but the hosts made a dominant start and were rewarded after Jacob Ramsey fired them into an early lead. Ollie Watkins proved a constant menace throughout and continued his prolific return since the World Cup break by netting a second-half brace to seal the win.
Newcastle remain third in the table despite the heavy loss, with top-four rivals Tottenham suffering a shock home defeat to Bournemouth courtesy of a stoppage-time strike from Dango Ouattara. Villa strengthened their own case for European football and now sit just six points adrift of the Magpies, albeit having played a game in more.
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