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Newcastle stun Villa 6-0 to continue weekend goal rush

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-08-23 09:48

LONDON - Andy Carroll helped himself to a hat-trick as Newcastle United stunned Aston Villa 6-0 to mark a memorable home return to the Premier League on Sunday.

Newcastle United's Andy Carroll shoots to score against Aston Villa during their English Premier League soccer match in Newcastle, northern England August 22, 2010. [Agencies]

Two goals from midfielder Kevin Nolan and another from Joey Barton ensured a third 6-0 victory of the weekend following Chelsea's win over Wigan Athletic and Arsenal's thumping win over Blackpool and the fourth of the new season.

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Carroll, the England Under-21 international striker, staked his claim for inclusion in manager Fabio Capello's plans for the senior side with an outstanding performance to the delight of the watching Tyneside scoring hero Alan Shearer in the stands.

Villa wasted a golden opportunity to go ahead when John Carew skied a penalty high over the bar after 10 minutes and soon after last season's Championship (second division) winners took control.

Barton fired home an angled shot after 12 minutes before Nolan headed in at the second attempt just after the half hour mark and Carroll made it three for the Magpies minutes later.

Carroll blasted in the fourth on 67 minutes with another Nolan header and a neat stoppage-time finish from Carroll sealing Newcastle's first points of the season following their opening 3-0 defeat by Manchester United on Monday.

Villa, who started the season with an encouraging 3-0 win over West Ham United last week, rarely threatened and the hopes of caretaker coach Kevin MacDonald getting the job fulltime following the shock resignation of Martin O'Neill before the season began were not helped by his team's performance.

Manchester United were playing at Fulham later on Sunday (1500 GMT).