Newcastle United were swept aside by rampant Aston Villa as the Magpies' unbeaten run came crashing to an end in front of the Holte End.
United were no match for a Villa side who could now gatecrash the part for a European place with Newcastle boss Eddie Howe left with questions to answer after this heavy defeat. But Newcastle must now dust themselves down for the next weekend's big encounter against Tottenham Hotspur.
On a day of disappointing displays all round, Newcastle were collectively poor at Villa Park.
READ MORE: Kieran Trippier expects Eddie Howe 'to go mad' after Newcastle's Aston Villa defeat
How the Magpies rated overall at Villa Park:
Nick Pope 7
The easy winner of the man of the match award after making a series of fine saves. Kept it to 3-0 after facing 15 shots.
Kieran Trippier 5
Left on the back-foot as a Villa poured forward.
Fabian Schar 4
Struggled throughout in his worst display of the season. Also booked in the first half for foul on Watkins.
Sven Botman 5
The tone was set as Watkins sped past him in the opening stages.
Dan Burn 5
Endured a tough physical battle with McGinn. Battled hard but wasn't his day. In fairness, Matt Targett also failed to cope with McGinn's bustling runs.
Bruno Guimaraes 5
Left to resort to fouls and blocks. Not his best day.
Joelinton 5
Made one galloping run down the right but was denied by Martinez. Taken off after struggling to make impact.
Joe Willock 4
Failed to make an impact and didn't get a sight of goal. Just 29 touches before being taken off.
Anthony Gordon 5
A major vote of confidence as he started the game. But despite a gutsy first half effort could not change the context of the game.
Jacob Murphy 6
Made a few openings and perhaps unlucky to be taken off.
Alexander Isak 6
The only Toon star to really test Martinez.
Subs
Callum Wilson 4 (for Murphy 55)
Did not make an impact. Just a handful of touches.
Miguel Almiron 7 (for Gordon 55)
A welcome return, had a couple of chances but will need time to get up to speed.
Sean Longstaff 7 (for Willock 68)
Kept going on a day in which he was benched. Put in a couple of tackles and showed he was up for the fight.
Matt Targett 5 (for Burn 68)
Suffered the same fate as Burn as McGinn shone.
Elliot Anderson (for Joelinton 79)
*Subs must play 15 minutes to get a mark.
Here's how Newcastle players rated in the first half:
Nick Pope 7
In truth has kept Newcastle in it with a couple of important saves and claims.
Kieran Trippier 5
Has found it tough going contending with Ollie Watkins and Jacob Ramsey.
Fabian Schar 5
Another to struggle in the first half. Turned to foul means with foul on Watkins and was booked for his trouble, needs to be careful now.
Sven Botman 6
Saw Watkins speed past him early on when he hit the post. Unable to get a block in after a desperate attempt to stop Ramsey.
Dan Burn 5
Up against John McGinn who is edging the physical battle.
Bruno Guimaraes 5
Has had to resort to niggling fouls in bid to break Villa's flow.
Joelinton 6
Made one galloping run down the right but was denied by Martinez.
Joe Willock 5
Yet to get into the game.
Anthony Gordon 6
Has managed a couple of crosses and is chasing back to try to haul United back in this.
Jacob Murphy 6
Has certainly made a few openings.
Alexander Isak 6
The only Toon star to really test Martinez.
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