Howe surprised a few when the team sheets were released at 4.30pm. Despite previously bedding in overseas additions, he handed a first Premier League start to Sandro Tonali, with Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak preferred to Harvey Barnes and Callum Wilson in attack. A few hours on, his pre-match calls proved to be an absolute masterstroke!

Admission into the stadium was slow via the new digital ticket system – longer queues were to be expected – but the game itself was anything but! It was a breathless half and superb start, as Howe’s high-energy Mags pressed relentlessly and took an early lead through Tonali. It was great play from Gordon – who looked so lively from the off – as his left-footed cross was met by the Italian’s perfectly timed run into the box. Our £55m man arrived unmarked and angled a volley past Martinez, making it 1-0 Newcastle just five minutes into his Premier League debut! The atmosphere was electric, as fans filled with new season excitement were treat to the dream start.

At the other end, Gordon showed his pace and awareness to hold up a dangerous Moussa Diaby counter, but the former Toon target drew Villa level moments later, firing a back post effort past Pope Aguero Watkins’ flick on. We responded well and reasserted our dominance with more pressing and quick passing, winning a free kick that would lead to us retaking the lead. Trippier squared to Tonali, the Italian’s cross picked out Botman and the big Dutchman angled back across goal to set up Isak, who opened his account for the season with a typically calm finish. 2-1 Newcastle!

It was probably too end-to-end for Eddie Howe’s liking, as Diaby’s pace was causing havoc on the break, yet Gordon was a constant menace at the other end with his decisive dribbling, slick link up, darting runs and ability to keep drawing free kicks from the over eager Cash.

10 minutes of time was added – mainly due to a nasty looking injury for Tyrone Mings – and we went into the break 2-1 up. Before the interval, Douglas Luiz did miss a free header, with Diaby also hitting the side netting, but we were good value for our lead and left wondering how Emi Martinez stayed on the pitch after bringing Miguel Almiron down.

Officials say it wasn’t a red as Villa had covering defenders, but it didn’t matter in the end. In fact, it seemed to fuel us heading into the second 45, where were too strong, sharp, fit and clinical for a Villa side who just couldn’t handle our energy and intensity.

They brought on Youri Tielemans in a bid to get a foothold in a game they were struggling to control, but it wasn’t long until we got that all important third. Gordon was superb – his darting runs, link up play in tight areas, pace and ability to draw in fouls stood out all afternoon. After he got Matty Cash booked for a cynical foul, his ball into Alexander Isak wasn’t dealt with by Ezri Konsa. Not only did Isak pounce on his error, he chipped both Martinez and Cash, who could only watch on helplessly as the ice-cool Swede doubled his tally to make it 3-1 Newcastle. What a player he is; so elusive, so calm and so much quality, whether he’s dropping deep to link up, driving with the ball out wide or bursting through on goal.

Miguel Almiron was another who came alive in the second half, drifting inside to great effect to confuse a Villa defence who were already struggling to pick up Isak and Gordon. Bruno was actually below his brilliant best in patches, sometimes getting caught on the ball or picking the wrong pass, but Tonali’s energy, drive, effortless link up and ability to spread the play added a new dynamic to our midfield. He fitted into our high intensity style so well and looked like he’d been playing in the Premier League for years. His second half display a joy to watch, adding a lovely blend of technical ability and tenacity to our engine room.

Isak could’ve made it four, as he burst clear but struck his effort too close to Martinez, yet it wasn’t long until we found another. After Cash blazed over from a Watkins effort parried by Pope, we brought on Wilson and Barnes for Isak and Gordon; two stars of the show who rightfully received a standing ovation. Tonali showed his creativity to slip Barnes in down the left, the former Leicester star showed his unselfishness to set up Wilson and our No 9 did the rest, firing past Martinez to make it 4-1!

Moments later, Martinez pulled off a stunning save to deny Barnes a second assist and Wilson a brace, with Joelinton having a header cleared off the line 60 seconds later after rising highest from Tonali’s deep corner.

Jacob Murphy, Sean Longstaff and Elliot Anderson all came on for the closing stages, replacing Almiron, Bruno and Tonali. Somehow, Emery persisted with a high line that we were constantly exploiting and that led to a fifth and debut goal for Barnes, who latched onto Murphy’s through ball and finished emphatically to round off a perfect end to a five-star display from Newcastle United.

It really was a dream start to the new season and statement victory. Tonali’s outstanding on his Premier League debut, Gordon kicking on following a positive pre-season, Isak and Wilson off the mark and Barnes showing why he was signed with a devastating cameo.