Beardsley lauds returning Rob

Elliot made his first appearance in almost nine months for the second string, after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury while on international duty with the Republic of Ireland back in March.

The 30-year-old played the full 90 minutes and produced a stunning stop to prevent Jerell Sellars from bagging a consolation towards the end of the Premier League 2 Division Two clash.

And football development manager Beardsley – whose side are now unbeaten in four league outings – lauded the influence of the experienced stopper.

“He proved last night what a top goalkeeper he is. That save at the end was brilliant – I told him in the dressing room that I never thought the lad was going to score. I always knew he was going to save it," he told nufc.co.uk.

“He was unbelievable with the kids. His attitude from the first minute to the last, his attitude in the build up to the game, just everything about him – he’s a class act. He’s obviously a top keeper. His enthusiasm, his ability – when he catches the ball, he wants to make a goal. Some of the passes he played last night were great, and he’s just a pleasure to be around.

“I told him last night that he wouldn’t be with us for long, but they’re special times when he is with us for the kids, because he’s a brilliant example.

“To be fair to all of them – Daryl Murphy, Massadio Haidara, Achraf Lazaar – they’ve all been top class when they’ve played for us this year, as was Yoan Gouffran last year. They’ve all been good examples for us, and they’re a big bonus to have. We don’t get them very often, but they’re a big bonus, they always make a difference and they’re great to be around.”

Goals from centre backs Curtis Good and Stuart Findlay put United in front after Andre Green’s early opener for Villa, before second half strikes from Tom Heardman and Liam Smith made the points safe prior to a late Lubo Satka own goal.

Winger Callum Roberts delivered the set pieces that created the first three goals, while also having a hand in Smith’s effort for Newcastle’s fourth, and Beardsley was impressed with the quality shown by his young charges in front of goal, though he admitted the Magpies could have added a few more to their tally.

“They were great goals, but the delivery is what made them. To be fair to Callum Roberts, he’s put three crosses on a plate for them,” he said.

“Some of the football in the middle period of the second half was fantastic, really, really special. We had other good situations where Tom’s missed a sitter, and I’m not sure Jamie Holmes was offside (for his disallowed goal), but some of the football was really good.

“And that’s what the first team do – they kill teams off. After the first goal, they’re always looking for the second, the third and the fourth, and they never give in until the job’s done.

“We had a really good situation before they even scored, and Liam Gibson was unlucky – he got down the left wing and they cut the cross out. They went up and scored after that, and the goal shook us, and for ten or 15 minutes I thought we were all over the place.

“But then we started to get a grip of the game, and it was convincing in the end. The only disappointing thing is we should have scored more. Their keeper made some saves in the second half, but there were a few chances we should have scored.”

The victory over Villa was United’ final home league outing of 2016, with a trip to Stoke City to come on Friday.

With Beardsley’s side having broken into the top four on the back of their unbeaten run, the Magpies legend says his side have made great strides over the course of the year, as their progress continues to be monitored by first team boss Rafa Benitez.

“The performances last season were better than the results suggested, but I think this year they’re getting a bit more confident, they’re fighting for each other and they’ve brought that on themselves,” he said. “You’ve heard people say in the past that there was a losing culture – there wasn’t quite that, but when the first team win it gives everybody in the club confidence.

“The manager’s given everyone a lift, and when I look at Paco (de Miguel Moreno), Antonio (Gomez Perez), Mikel (Antia) and Simon (Smith), they all have a great desire for this club to be successful, and it rubs off. They have a keen interest, and Rafa has a real interest from top to bottom too. He always takes an interest in what we do, and it keeps everybody on their toes and keeps everybody happy.”