Johan Manzambi, who snubbed Newcastle for Villa in the summer, scored the only goal at St James’s Park.

Delighted Unai Emery hailed the “skill and intelligence” of Johan Manzambi after the midfielder was Villa’s match-winner at Newcastle.

Manzambi, who chose a £51million move to Villa over the Magpies in the summer, headed the only goal of the game in the 36th minute.

The 21-year-old has now scored three goals in his last four matches since recovering from the knee injury which forced him to miss the start of the season and Emery was full of praise after his latest impressive outing.

"Skills and intelligence, both he has, and his physicality is very important as well to help us defensively and to help us try to keep the duels offensively,” said the Villa boss.

"We are very happy. Of course another goal he has scored. Fantastic for him as well.”

Manzambi was forced off in the second half but Emery did not think the issue was serious.

Speaking about Villa beating Newcastle to his signature, he said: “He joined us because he decided as well to be with us.

“Of course, we are playing Champions League, we are a team more being consistent. On the sports side, and of course economical side, he decided for us.

“We had two years ago Jacob Ramsey with us, and Newcastle signed him. Of course, I appreciate and I would have liked to keep him with us, but it's football.”

Villa did suffer more misfortune at left-back as Aaron Wan-Bissaka suffered a hamstring injury, though Emery is set to be boosted by the return of Ian Maatsen to training next week.

The win was Villa’s second in the Premier League this season and the boss continued: “It was a tough match. To play here at Newcastle in their stadium is a very difficult scenario to achieve points.

“So we prepared the game, we got a very, very important three points.

“Tactically and defensively very good. Set pieces defensively very good. In transition, we had very good chances to score, and we scored.

“Then, when we could have our momentum, dominating with the ball, we stopped them, and we could as well take our time to attack them.”