Newcastle make perfect home start against their relegators
Published:Newcastle carried their hugely impressive 2009/10 home record into the Premier League by sticking six past Aston Villa as Premier League football returned to St James’ Park.
It was a remarkable result considering the hosts were 3-0 losers on the opening weekend, whereas Aston Villa beat West Ham 3-0, and was undoubtedly a perfect tonic for Magpies fans forced to endure the taunts of Villa supporters when they relegated them 15 months ago.
Andy Carroll scored a hat-trick and Kevin Nolan netted twice as Newcastle enjoyed their most prolific Premier League outing since March 2002, when they thumped Everton 6-2.
In addition to causing Newcastle’s pre-match relegation odds of 3/1 to be lengthened, the Toon Army triumph may have put paid to Villa caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald’s chances of being given the job on a full-time basis.
MacDonald is out to 4/1 to get the gig while Bob Bradley, who again talked up his interest in taking charge at Villa Park this morning, is the clear 6/4 favourite.
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