Rohan Malip 
Aston Villa claimed their first win of 2021 by beating Newcastle 2-0 to ramp up the pressure on Steve Bruce.
It has been a tough start to the new year for Villa, who had only played three times this month due to a Covid-19 outbreak at the club. They had lost all three of those games.
But they put an end to that streak by overcoming Newcastle โ who are now 10 games without a win in all competitions.
Villa took the lead in the 13th minute when Ollie Watkins ended his long wait for a goal.
The striker had not scored in his last nine matches, but a big chance came to change that when Fabian Schar inadvertently deflected a ball across goal into the air โ allowing Watkins to rise and head home.
#AVFC get the breakthrough! ๐ฅ
Fabian Schar’s attempted clearance falls to Ollie Watkins who nods in the opener!
Watch live on Sky Sports PL ๐บ
Follow #AVLNEW online here ๐ฒ https://t.co/8fY83E6KT1 pic.twitter.com/kElDA0fkS7โ Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 23, 2021
Watkins thought he had another in the 33rd minute when he finished from the left-hand side of the box, but he was flagged offside.
Villa did manage to double the lead before the break, courtesy of a player who has stepped up while Watkins has been misfiring.
In the 42nd minute, Bertrand Traore played a one-two with Jack Grealish, running into the box and finishing first time to make it 2-0.
What a finish! ๐ฏ
Traore doubles #AVFC‘s lead just before half-time!
Watch live on Sky Sports PL ๐บ
Follow #AVLNEW online here ๐ฒ https://t.co/Lp6ZsKLaOP pic.twitter.com/DoS5uK3fdaโ Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 23, 2021
Little changes in second half
Villa remained comfortable in the second half and almost had a spectacular goal when Watkins headed the ball to Ross Barkley, who tried a scorpion-style flick that went over the bar.
With 20 minutes to go, Steve Bruce sent Allan Saint-Maximin for a first Newcastle appearance since November. The hope was that he would provide the spark they have been missing in attack.
However, despite the game opening up a little more, there was no way back for Newcastle, with the two-goal deficit remaining. Hence, Bruceโs side have now failed to score in seven of their last eight games.
The result moves Villa up to eighth, while Newcastle are 16th โ still seven points above the drop zone.
