Martins gives Newcastle victory

Obafemi Martins scored twice as Newcastle United produced a stirring second-half performance to beat Aston Villa 2-0 on Monday to move off the bottom of the Premier League.

Villa went into the game at St James' Park knowing a win would put them third but it was Newcastle who were the better team as they climbed to 14th.

The visitors had the better of the first half, Martin Laursen clipping a post with an early header and Gabriel Agbonlahor mis-kicking from six metres.

Newcastle came out fired up after the break and deservedly took the lead after an hour when Nigerian Martins turned sharply to shoot home from the edge of the box.

Nicky Butt then hit a post with a free kick before Martins settled it eight minutes from time from close-range after a good run and cross by Jonas Gutierrez.

Newcastle's win completed a good weekend for the clubs at the bottom end of the table after Tottenham Hotspur beat Liverpool, Stoke City stunned Arsenal and Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic also collected maximum points.