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Obafemi Martins’ brace earned Newcastle victory against Aston Villa and lifted the Magpies out of the bottom three.

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1-0 Obafemi Martins

2-0 Obafemi Martins

Martins opened the scoring on the hour, beating Villa keeper Brad Friedel with a left-footed shot from 18 yards after turning inside Martin Laursen.

The Nigerian secured victory, tapping home from close-range after good work down the left from Jonas Gutierrez.

Nicky Butt also struck the post for the Magpies while Laursen’s header hit the upright for Villa in the first-half.

Needing victory to climb into the Premier League’s top three, Villa started the better of the two sides and should have taken a lead into the half-time break.

Laursen had the visitors’ first real chance, heading Gareth Barry’s 11th-minute corner against the post.