Newcastle United's chances of a Boxing Day win over Aston Villa certainly increased when Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran was sent for an early bath just 32 minutes into the St James' Park showdown.

Seconds before he angrily trudged down the tunnel the Colombian forward could only watch and wait - guilty look etched across his face - as referee Anthony Taylor headed towards him. Meanwhile, Fabian Schar writhed in pain on the ground after taking a set of studs to his back following his perfectly timed tackle.

Taylor may well have been in two minds over the level of intent from Duran's side - but Newcastle players certainly made his decision easier by racing over to the nervous forward to make their feelings abundantly clear. Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka was the first to meet him, angrily shaking his finger in his face.

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Dan Burn then had to be intercepted by Villa's John McGinn as Joelinton also attempted to let Duran know exactly what he thought of the off the ball incident. Bodies swarmed the embattled forward and seconds later Taylor had settled on his decision - a straight red.

Only Duran himself will know whether he meant to leave a trailing boot on the back of his opposite number but Newcastle's player and fans certainly helped drum up a feeling inside the ground that there was no other option than to show the Villa man to the dressing room.

Some will call it good game management, others will suggest it was the famous dark arts that Newcastle use so well in clashes such as Thursday's. We have seen it on too few occasions this term from Eddie Howe's side, who are at their best when they are as streetwise as can be.

Meanwhile, after the game there was agreement from Unai Emery, Eddie Howe and Alan Shearer as Duran's dismissal was put to them, with all three suggesting the decision may have been a harsh one.

“I haven’t seen all the replays, genuinely,” said the Newcastle boss. “I’ve seen it once, that was live. Genuinely I haven’t seen any replays. I haven’t.

"I thought it was maybe harsh, that was maybe my gut feel. I was a little bit surprised the red card came out. But someone with a better view will tell me their opinion I’m sure.”

Duran will now miss three games for Aston Villa, pending an appeal, while Newcastle march on with confidence as they head to Manchester United looking more and more like the Eddie Howe side of old.