( dpa )- Aston Villa leapfrogged Liverpool into fifth place in the English Premier League on Saturday after they beat Newcastle United 4-1 at Villa Park.
John Carew scored a hat-trick as Villa came from behind for a victory that lifted them to 44 points, level with fourth-placed Everton.
Things had looked good for Newcastle when Michael Owen put them ahead on four minutes, heading James Milner's cross in, off the hand of Gareth Barry.
Newcastle held their advantage to half-time but three minutes into the second half, Villa were level, thanks to a huge slice of luck as Wilfred Bouma's shot deflected off Habib Beye and wrong-footed Shay Given in the Newcastle goal.
Carew then headed Villa in front three minutes later and on 72 minutes, the Norway striker made it 3-1 after some hopeless defending from Newcastle.
Stephen Carr capped the afternoon for Newcastle by handling the ball on 90 minutes and Barry, the usual Villa penalty-taker, allowed Carew to take it to seal his hat-trick.
Later on Saturday, Everton will be hoping to move clear in fourth when they face Reading.
Leaders Arsenal take on Blackburn on Monday, while Sunday's games see second-placed Manchester United facing neighbours Manchester City and third-placed Chelsea hosting Liverpool.