‘Forget about it’ - Alan Shearer gives Newcastle United strict Champions League order

Aston Villa put the Magpies to the sword in brutal fashion with a 4-1 triumph on Saturday. Despite heading into the clash on a six-game winning run, Newcastle looked lethargic and tasted defeat for the first time since February.

A poor weekend all around saw Chelsea and Manchester City also claim victories to blow the Premier League table wide open. Just two points separate Newcastle - who sit third - and Villa in seventh.

A point would have been a solid result at Villa Park but an 11-minute massacre allowed Unai Emery’s men to run riot. Shearer conceded that the hosts deserved to win and Newcastle lacked “energy” - a sentiment echoed by Jason Tindall post-match.

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"Villa were brilliant,” Shearer told The Rest Is Football podcast. “Villa did to Newcastle what Newcastle have done to a few teams over the past couple of months. They just overpowered them. They had more energy.

"Villa had far more energy, they won every challenge. They were better in every position, really, and Villa battered Newcastle. Actually, it should have been a few more. They were absolutely outstanding, Villa were."

Shearer urged the Magpies to “forget” about the setback with five do-or-die fixtures still to play. Ipswich - on the brink of relegation - travel to St James’ Park next weekend knowing anything but a win condemns their Premier League fate.

“I just think the quicker Newcastle forget about that and move on, the better,” Shearer added. “What I would say is, if you’ve been battered like you have been, then you would want a home game in your next game against one of the teams that have had a terrible season in terms of Ipswich.

“They’ve got a really good home game to look forward to, and, hopefully, they’ll bounce back. That battle at the top for the Champions League places is incredible.”

Jason Tindall honest on Newcastle United defeat

Tindall cited fatigue as a possible cause for Newcastle’s downfall at Villa Park. He said post-match: "Over the 90 minutes, Aston Villa deserved to win. We can't fault the player's attitude. The effort they have put in this week is there for all to see, but maybe today was a step too far for us.

"We were disappointed with the start, but we showed great character to get ourselves back into the game and go in level at 1-1 at half-time. From our perspective, maybe a third game in six days caught up with us around the hour mark.

“The physicality and effort caught up with us. We started making little errors that are unlike us that led to goals. We have had many setbacks, but one thing about the players and the club is we stick together and come out fighting."

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