Michael Owen opened the scoring after only four minutes. The hosts responded severely with four second-half goals as Wilfred Bouma leveled the score, 48, before Norway striker John Carew hit a hat-trick, 51, 72, 90 to complete the rout.

The defeat leaves coach Kevin Keegan with only two points in four matches since he took charge of the team last month succeeding to Sam Allardyce.

The Magpies are 13th with 28 points and stretched their winless streak to nine games. Aston Villa are well placed for a European spot as they collected 44 points and are fifth with just three points behind fourth-placed Everton.