Callum Wilson has praised John McGinn for 'brilliant banter' after the Aston Villa star's cheeky 'fire brigade' jibe at the Newcastle United striker's expense. The Scotland international was asked about the Magpies' number nine's comments in the wake of the emphatic 3-0 victory for the hosts at Villa Park on Saturday.
Both sides went into the contest in great form, with Eddie Howe's side hoping to record a sixth straight Premier League victory. Speaking ahead of the trip to the Midlands, Wilson acknowledged it would be a 'difficult match' but joked Newcastle would 'put the fire out' of the Unai Emery-led revival.
But in the end, it turned out to be an emphatic victory for the hosts courtesy of Jacob Ramsey's opener and a second-half brace from in-form Ollie Watkins. Wilson's comments were put to McGinn following the full-time whistle, and the midfielder suggested the 'fire brigade' must be on strike.
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Newcastle's number nine opened up the latest edition of the podcast he co-hosts with West Ham striker Michail Antonio by acknowledging McGinn's witty response. Wilson told the Footballer's Football Podcast: "First up, did you hear John McGinn's comment referring to the podcast about my comments last week? It was brilliant banter from him, I'll give him that!
"Honestly, unbelievable banter! I was actually thinking of messaging him, unbelievable scenes! When I saw that, I thought do you know what? I'm not even going to talk on the podcast this week, it just comes flat back in my face! I need to focus on getting back in the team!"
Tottenham's last-gasp home defeat to Bournemouth means Newcastle's top-four destiny remains in their hands ahead of their clash at St James' Park on Sunday. Wilson believes the Magpies were 'punished' for slipping below their usual standards, and is confident the loss will prove to be a blip.
The striker said: "We didn't turn up. Sometimes form dips a little bit, the Premier League is a crazy league and as we know, the results this season show anybody can beat anybody.
"If you are 10% off of it on the day, you are going to get found out and exposed, especially away from home. Bear in mind this is a team we beat 4-0 up here at St James' Park, it's the same team but two different scenarios.
"It just shows if you are not 100% on it like they were on that day, you get punished. Unfortunately, we were on the back of a punishment and it was thoroughly disappointing.
"It's one we're not going to take lightly, and the games are running out but also getting bigger and bigger as the season comes to an end. We've just got to make sure the hard work this week continues and we're back on it for the weekend."
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