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Aston Villa kept themselves firmly in the race for Champions League qualification with a statement win over fellow European hopefuls Newcastle United.<\/b><\/p>\n
Unai Emery’s side ran out 4-1 winners<\/a> with a scintillating display at Villa Park to move level on points with Nottingham Forest in fifth and only two behind third-placed Newcastle.<\/p>\n A fifth consecutive league win was the perfect response to exiting the Champions League midweek as Villa fight to return to Europe’s premier club competition next season.<\/p>\n “Villa have destroyed Newcastle,” former Everton midfielder Pat Nevin said on BBC Radio 5 Live.<\/p>\n “A lot of teams are beginning to wilt at this stage of the season. Aston Villa aren’t. They are looking very, very strong.”<\/p>\n Speaking on Sky Sports, ex-Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp added: “Aston Villa dismantled the in-form team in the Premier League. From minute one, they were excellent.<\/p>\n “Almost a managerial masterclass, from the team he [Unai Emery] picked, the style they played, the substitutions he brought on. Everything he did tonight he got right.”<\/p>\n Next up for Villa is a trip to Manchester City, another side battling to make the top five.<\/p>\n “Belief and showing our capacity – we did it today,” Emery told BBC Match of the Day.<\/p>\n “Tuesday is another test and another challenge for the team and the club. Man City is another huge test.”<\/p>\n