BRIGHTON’s match with Brentford was hit with a lengthy delay after Jan Paul van Hecke was stretchered off following a horror clash of heads.
Van Hecke was rushed to hospital for tests after receiving oxygen on the pitch, but has now been discharged.
The Dutch defender’s compatriot Bart Verbruggen rang his team-mate’s wife to reassure her as news of the collision spread.
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
Follow our live blog below…
Van Hecke update
Jan Paul van Hecke was rushed to hospital in a neck brace following a sickening clash of heads with Yunus Konak during Brighton’s 4-2 defeat at Brentford.
The Seagulls defender required lengthy treatment and oxygen on the pitch before finally being carried off on a stretcher.
Van Hecke, 24, was later discharged from hospital following precautionary checks.
The worrying incident occurred deep into stoppage time.
Konak, 19, also needed to be substituted but was able to walk off the pitch.
Van Hecke, meanwhile, briefly sat up as he was assessed by medical staff, before being carefully laid back down and put on a stretcher.
Both sets of supporters applauded as the Dutchman was taken straight down the tunnel while receiving oxygen.
SunSport understands he was then carried into an ambulance in an oxygen mask and still in his kit.
His family checked in on him in the dressing room but were not with him in the ambulance.
Van Hecke’s eyes were open and responsive and goalkeeper and compatriot Bart Verbruggen rang his team-mate’s wife to reassure her as news of the collision spread.
Credit: Alamy More action coming tomorrow
Here are the Premier League fixtures you can look forward to as some big questions may be answered.
If results go their way, Liverpool can confirm themselves as Premier League champions at the King Power Stadium.
Fulham vs Chelsea (2pm)
Ipswich Town vs Arsenal (2pm)
Man Utd vs Wolves (2pm)
Leicester vs Liverpool (4.30pm)
Villa chasing down European big time
Coming into the game today, Unai Emery will have told his side how nothing but victory would do.
They needed to make ground on the sides above them and have done just that with an emphatic 4-1 victory.
Villa are now just two points behind Newcastle and have a big trip to The Eithad in midweek to face Man City.
If they can do the unthinkable and win that one, their Champions League hopes will be firmly in their own hands.
Credit: Reuters Credit: Reuters
Van Hecke latest update
We have some good news from Brighton on Jan Paul van Hecke.
Van Hecke was stretchered off earlier after a horror head collision and rushed to hospital.
But the Seagulls have now posted the defender has been discharged from hospital and on his way home.
Brighton posted: After being stretchered off at the end of today’s game, Jan Paul van Hecke was taken to hospital as a precaution but has now been discharged and is on his way back to Brighton.
Thank you to everyone who sent us your messages of concern and support for JP.
Forest slip out of top four
Suddenly Nottingham Forest’s trip to North London to play Spurs on Monday has taken even more significance.
Results elsewhere today has seen Nuno Espirito Santo’s side drop to fifth in the Premier League table.
He needs to get his players focussed on picking up three points so they can keep their Champions League dream alive.
Football fans come together
During matches, supporters are purely focussed on their team and getting the victory.
However, when something bad happens as it today, the respect is there for all too see.
The whole of the Gtech Community Stadium clapped Jan Paul van Hecke as he was stretched off in the closing stages of the game.
Read more about the incident here.
Fans worried for star defender
It was a bad day all round for Brighton this afternoon.
Suffering defeat in West London against Brentford seemed to be the last thing on their minds come the final whistle.
Jan Paul van Hecke suffered a horrific injury after a clash of heads, that saw the game stopped for some time.
The defender was stretchered off with an oxygen mask and everyone is waiting for updates on his health.
Credit: Alamy Watkins shows hunger against Magpies
Ollie Watkins made a really good claim to be the starting striker for Aston Villa this evening.
Ever the professional, he used his frustrations in the right way and let his feet do the talking.
He was integral to the team in this important victory over their top five rivals at Villa Park.
Ollie wanting to be first-choice
The Aston Villa striker gave his thoughts on the match with Sky Sports:
I think being out of the team, nobody is happy being on the bench as a professional footballer. We knew Newcastle were going to go man for man, personally I like that. I think I got the better of Schar today and gave him a real hard time. The manager told us it would be difficult today and it was all about us winning our duels.
Ollie Watkins
Premier League results
Here is how the day’s fixtures panned out today:
Brentford 4-2 Brighton
Crystal Palace 0-0 Bournemouth
Everton 0-2 Man City
West Ham 1-1 Southampton
Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle
FT: Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle
It was an explosive second-half from Aston Villa.
The game looked finely poised but the substitutions made all the difference for the hosts.
Unai Emery’s side needed this win against their rivals, who have their eyes firmly focussed on those top five spots.
View from SunSport’s Graeme Bryce at Villa Park
Wow! Take a bow Aston Villa.
Unai Emery’s side blew Newcastle out of the park with a breathtaking finale.
The Villa boss got his substitutions spot on as Jacob Ramsey’s cutback forced Dan Burn into an unfortunate own goal, with Ramsey’s first touch of the ball!
Then Amadou Onana sealed three crucial points with a stunner from 18 yards, within minutes of coming on along with Ramsey.
Newcastle were fortunate to escape further punishment in truth as Ramsey then struck the inside of the post – the THIRD time Villa had hit the Magpies woodwork.
The fact Emery was still able to send Marcus Rashford, Ross Barkley and Donyell Malen on for Rogers, Kamara and Watkins shows the strength in depth Villa now have.
The Villans faced three massive games in the space of a week.
They have beaten PSG and Newcastle – Manchester City are next on their hitlist.
Roll on Tuesday at the Etihad!
FT: Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle
The referee brings the game to a close.
It is an emphatic win for Aston Villa.
Their European hopes are well and truly alive now.
Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle
90+4. Barkley drills a shot across the face of the goal.
It was a tight angle but he seemed keen to get on the scoresheet.
Newcastle give away another free-kick in a wide position.
Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle
90+2. Malen has a shot from the edge of the box.
Pope seemed to have it covered as it narrowly misses the far post.
Newcastle cannot wait for that final whistle now.
Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle
90. It will be a long way back home for these travelling fans.
Their good form has come to an abrupt end here.
We are going to have six added minutes.
Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle
88. The Magpies throw players forward.
It all seems too little, too late now.
Joelinton receives the ball at the back post but it is defended well.
Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle
86. This has been some second-half performance from the hosts.
They have bombarded The Magpies with wave after wave of attacks.
Showing a hunger for the win here at Villa Park.
Credit: Reuters Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle
84. Newcastle are all over the place.
Joelinton gives away a free-kick as he tries to win the ball back.
Aston Villa look hungry for more goals.
Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle
82. Barkely comes on for Kamara.
Rogers and Watkins also make way.
Rashford and Malen are the players to replace them.
Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle
78. Ramsey almost makes it five but it is blocked.
Aston Villa are all over Newcastle right now.
The Magpies do not seem to have an answer.
Credit: Reuters
Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle
76. The substitutions have made all the difference for Emery.
Onana drills a shot into the top corner from the middle of the goal.
In the space of five minutes, the hosts have put this game to bed.
Goal – Amadou Onana (Aston Villa)
Aston Villa 3-1 Newcastle
74. What an introduction for Ramsey.
He puts in a teasing low cross and Burn turns it into his own net.
Villa Park is bouncing.
Own goal – Dan Burn (Newcastle)
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
