SOCCER: Buendia scores stunning goal as Aston Villa beat Newcastle 2-0

NEWCASTLE, England — Aston Villa kept the Premier League title race alive with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United on Sunday, thanks to a brilliant first-half strike from Emiliano Buendia and a late goal by Ollie Watkins.

The win allowed Villa to stay level with second-placed Manchester City on 46 points, as City beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 on Saturday. Both teams now sit four points behind leaders Arsenal, who are set to face Manchester United later on Sunday.

Buendia opened the scoring in the 19th minute, finishing off a slick Villa attack that moved quickly from one side of the field to the other. The 29-year-old received the ball at the edge of the box and unleashed a stunning right-foot shot that flew past Nick Pope and into the net.

Newcastle pushed forward strongly in search of an equalizer, fueled by the home crowd. However, it was Watkins who delivered the final blow, ghosting into the far post to head home in the 88th minute and seal the victory for Villa. -Reporting by Philip O'Connor/Reuters