Newcastle United 1 Aston Villa 0

Loic Remy admitted relief was the primary emotion for Newcastle after his stoppage-time strike beat Aston Villa 1-0 in an often drab encounter which only came to life in the closing stages.

Remy hit the post a few minutes from time and it appeared Newcastle's chance had gone, but in the third minute of time added on he twisted away from Ron Vlaar and fired into the net to their first goal at home since St Stephen's Day.

“We are very relieved tonight because I think the last few games have been difficult for us,” he told Sky Sports 1. “We’ve lost some important players like (Yohann) Cabaye and we’ve got so many injured as well so for us it was important to win today because all the confidence is good to win.

“Even at home, the fans are expecting a lot from us so now we are very happy and I think the team has found a good spirit which is good for the end of the season.”

Remy was making his return from a three-game suspension and said that helped inspire his match-winning performance.

“I was very hungry because I missed three games and had to leave my team-mates,” he said. “For me I was very concentrated to the maximum and I wanted to score as a striker. That’s why I’m very happy. I missed some good opportunities and before the next game I will look at this.”

In a match of few clearcut chances, Newcastle fans could have been forgiven for thinking it was all over after Luuk de Jong robbed Vlaar and laid it off for Remy, only for the Frenchman to strike the post when it looked easier to score.

“I never feel my chance has gone,” said Remy. “I always want to score or give assists and for me until the game is finished I trust I can score. That’s what happened this afternoon.” The on-loan QPR forward dedicated the win to assistant manager John Carver, whose father passed away this week.