The Holy Trinity: Aston Villa conclusions from statement Premier League win at Newcastle United

Villa upset the odds at St James' Park, no matter what the bookies were saying beforehand

With a helping hand from Manchester United, Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League has been cut to four points by the two teams directly behind them.

Aston Villa are one of those those teams. It feels strange to be saying it at the end of January but that’s where we are. An Arsenal win would have been a positive outcome in the context of Villa’s pursuit of a Champions League place but Sunday’s results in combination left the door open to dream.

It’s important not to get distracted by all that but hey, if you take every game as it comes and aim for the top, that’s the best way to finish in the top four or five anyway.

Villa were worthy winners at St James’ Park and banished a dreadful record there with a 2-0 victory that could have been even more emphatic. Unai Emery is truly one of a kind.

Here’s your Holy Trinity of match conclusions: