The Magpies knew that three points against their third-placed visitors could be enough to take them into the top four, but instead it was Villa who maintained their title challenge with a first victory on Tyneside in more than two decades.

Sandro Tonali almost opened the scoring inside the first minute as he jinked into the box but Martínez spread himself to block the Italian's shot and deny him what would have been a wonderful solo strike.

But Nick Pope was also in action in the early stages of the match, diving full length to his left to keep out a long-range Buendía effort.

Then in the 12th minute, Pope made an even better stop, diverting a Watkins drive behind for a corner after the England striker had beaten a stretching Malick Thiaw to Jadon Sancho's through-ball.

But Pope could do nothing to keep out a brilliant shot from 25 yards from Buendía midway through the first half.

In the 33rd minute, Buendía popped up once more with a low shot from the edge of the box but this time it was straight at Pope.

With captain Bruno Guimarães missing out due to injury, Lewis Miley returned to the starting XI and the teenager was again impressive for the Magpies.

In the 42nd minute, he looked to have levelled matters but Martínez got a vital touch to his looping header from a Harvey Barnes delivery. He then made a more routine save from a Yoane Wissa header in the last of four minutes of first-half stoppage time.

Joelinton made his 250th appearance for the Magpies, but limped off early in the second half to be replaced by former Villa man Jacob Ramsey.

Barnes saw a dipping strike deflected just over then both he and Anthony Gordon just failed to connect with a teasing Kieran Trippier cross after Miley had played the stand-in skipper in down the right.

But Pope had to get down sharply to beat away a Morgan Rogers shot as the hour mark approached, then Thiaw made a last-ditch tackle to prevent substitute Leon Bailey from getting a shot away.

Newcastle dominated the second period but Villa were a threat on the break. A dipping Rogers free kick was held by Pope, who then made a flying save to keep out a Watkins effort which looked bound for the top corner.

But in the 88th minute, Watkins headed home to seal the points - and a first win at St. James' since 2005 - for Villa.

Newcastle United: Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier (c), Lewis Hall, Sven Botman, Joelinton (Jacob Ramsey 48), Sandro Tonali (Joe Willock 84), Yoane Wissa (Nick Woltemade 63), Anthony Gordon (Anthony Elanga 63), Harvey Barnes, Malick Thiaw, Lewis Miley

Subs not used: Aaron Ramsdale, William Osula, Dan Burn, Alex Murphy, Leo Shahar