Newcastle United's Kevin Nolan (R) heads to score against Aston Villa during their English Premier League soccer match in Newcastle, August 22, 2010.NIGEL RODDIS
Andy Carroll helped himself to a hat-trick as Newcastle United stunned Aston Villa 6-0 to mark a memorable home return to the Premier League on Sunday.
Two goals from midfielder Kevin Nolan and another from Joey Barton ensured the third 6-0 victory of the weekend following Chelsea's win over Wigan Athletic and Arsenal's thumping win over Blackpool.
Carroll, the England Under-21 international striker, staked his claim for inclusion in manager Fabio Capello's plans for the senior side with an outstanding performance, much to the delight of Tyneside scoring hero Alan Shearer, watching from the stands.
Aston Villa wasted a golden opportunity to get ahead when John Carew skied a penalty high over the bar 10 minutes in to play; soon after, last season's Championship (second division) winners took control.
Barton fired home an angled shot after 12 minutes before Nolan headed in at the second attempt just after the half hour mark and Carroll made it three for the Magpies minutes later.
Carroll blasted in Newcastle's fourth goal at 67 minutes, followed by another Nolan header and a neat stoppage-time finish from Carroll, thus sealing Newcastle's first points of the season following their opening 3-0 defeat by Manchester United on Monday.
Aston Villa, who started the season with an encouraging 3-0 win over West Ham United last week, posed little threat, and the hopes of caretaker coach Kevin MacDonald to take the job on full time, following the shock resignation of Martin O'Neill before the season began, were not helped by his team's performance.