Newcastle United turned on the style in front of watching England manager Gareth Southgate to stay in a Champions League place.
It was a day in which Callum Wilson surely came close to booking a place on the plane to the World Cup finals in Qatar. But the afternoon felt like something of a throwback to the Entertainers era as Newcastle piled on the agony for Aston Villa.
Wilson bagged two on the day but also hit the bar to be denied a hat-trick while Jacob Murphy hit the post late on. This really could have been a cricket score, however, fans were delighted with a superb display.
READ MORE: Recap Newcastle 4-0 Aston Villa as it happened
The Magpies walked out in the lashing rain with a banner at the Gallowgate End reading: "This city is believing again" summing up the mood on Tyneside. And the pre-match downpour proved to be tricky conditions for both sides with the extra zip making it tough to get the ball under control.
The game's first chance fell for Callum Wilson but he headed over the bar from close range after a Kieran Trippier cross on three minutes. Two minutes later, Sean Longstaff attempted an audacious lob from wide on the right but it skidded wide.
With 18 minutes gone Joelinton - continuing in an attacking position from last week - tried a right-footed shot after a sumptuous pass from Fabian Schar. The effort was pushed away by Emiliano Martinez but Wilson was unable to get on the end of the rebound after being marked tightly by Villa defenders.
A Villa break down the left through Leon Bailey saw the Jamaica international get free before crossing for Emiliano Buendia. The ex-Real Madrid youth player tried a close range shot but was blocked by the boot of Dan Burn and required lengthy treatment.
There was a shout for a VAR review on when Tyrone Mings upended Wilson in the box but ref Paul Tierney said there was nothing down for United on this occasion. Villa were forced into a change in goal when Martinez went off after a knock to the head and was replaced by Robin Olsen on 35 minutes.
Trippier's sweeping pass down the right for Almiron saw him go one on one with Olsen but the keeper rushed out to block. A combination of Villa time wasting and injuries resulted in 10 minutes added time at the end of the first half.
It was six minutes into that stoppage time period that Newcastle won the spot-kick which put them in front. Great work from Willock, pushed up to the left, and saw him pick out the number 9.
Wilson then found Almiron who cannoned a shot off the hands of Ashley Young before Tierney pointed to the spot. Wilson then sent sub keeper Olsen the wrong way to put Newcastle ahead at half-time.
A clash of heads between Sean Longstaff and Tyrone Mings early in te second half resulted in another stoppage. Almiron won a corner on 55 minutes before a lovely move made it 2-0.
Trippier's short corner routine with Almiron saw the Paraguay star backheel it into the full-back's path before he floated a cross in for Wilson to head home and double the lead on 56 minutes.
It was 3-0 before the hour mark as Bruno won the ball in his own half before Willock broke to cause confusion in the Villa defence. Wilson's shot was saved by Olsen before Joelinton followed up to make it 3-0 on 58 minutes.
Unfortunately, a second half booking for Joelinton means he will be suspended for next week's trip to Southampton.
United stretched the lead to four when Burn and Wilson combined before Almiron broke free on the right-hand side before curling the ball majestically from outside the box. Newcastle boss Howe made a couple of changes with 20 minutes left as Willock and Sven Botman went off for Jacob Murphy and Matt Targett.
Howe's side kept their foot on the gas with Wilson hitting the bar and Murphy hitting the post as they piled on the pressure. The head coach turned back to the subs bench to bring on Jonjo Shelvey and club skipper Jamaal Lascelles for the last 10 minutes.
And it was the turn of Allan Saint-Maximin and Chris Wood for the final five minutes as Wilson was taken off along with Almiron for the final throes of the game. Wood could have got on the scoresheet after a Longstaff cross in stoppage time but failed to connect in the box after a right wing ball.
But the scoreline stayed at just four on a day in which Newcastle could have had many more.
Attendance: 52,233
Ref: Paul Tierney
READ NEXT
The huge Allan Saint-Maximin boost for Newcastle United ahead of Aston Villa clash
What Jamaal Lascelles did after Tottenham game underlines massive Newcastle transfer advantage
Newcastle have already found one of the best players that Allan Saint-Maximin has ever seen
Sven Botman issues scary Premier League warning amid verdict on facing Harry Kane and Son Heung-min
Newcastle United to issue 'hands off' stance on Bruno Guimaraes amid Chelsea and Real Madrid talk
