Newcastle U23s posted back to back league wins for the first time this season on Monday night, beating their Villa counterparts at Walsall's Banks's Stadium to rack up a fourth consecutive league and cup victory.

Danish striker Elias Sorensen has scored in all four of those game, adding another three to his seasonal total tonight to move to 11 for the season (we're ignoring one he claimed against Fulham, given that his touch took the ball away from goal until an opposition player knocked it into the net for what would have been the third goal of a hat-trick). 

The home side took a ninth minute lead when a Harvey Knibbs shot rebounded off the post and Callum O'Hare knocked the ball home.

Back came United though and they were level on 24 minutes, a great run from Sean Longstaff finding Elias Sorensen on the edge of the box and the striker steadying himself before firing home.

And the visitors were ahead just three minutes later, Matty Longstaff's effort on goal handled by a Villa player and Callum Roberts obliging from the spot.

That lead proved to be short-lived, O'Hare grabbing his and Villa's second with a 20 yard thunderbolt that gave Freddie Woodman no chance on 29 minutes.

Within five minutes though that effort had paled into insignificance, Sean Longstaff unleashing a simply unbelievable 25-yard strike that beat the 'keeper at his near post following a corner kick.

Six minutes before the interval Ben Dawson's Magpies increased their advantage, Sorensen heading home a fine right wing centre from Roberts.

A goal-laden half then ended with Villa's O'Hare shaving the post with a low drive and sending an acrobatic effort just wide from the next attack.

After ten minutes of the second half - during which an explosive shot from Matty Longstaff felled Jacob Bedeau and left him needing treatment - the black and whites opened up a three goal advantage.

Roberts again supplied the assist, Sorensen nodding in to complete his first bona fide hat trick and our first league treble at this level since Adam Armstrong in 2014.

His work done, Sorensen then gave way to debutant striker Yannick Toure - the Senegal-born 18 year-old signed from Swiss side Young Boys Berne in August.

Having conceded six goals here in the corresponding game last season, United almost made it half a dozen of their own on 69 minutes, but a towering header from defender Stefan O'Connor following Matty Longstaff's corner kick was cleared off the line. 

O'Hare still remained a danger for Villa and again came close to completing his own personal treble in the 79th minute, Woodman managing a tremendous tip-over to keep out a deflected effort. 

PS: Sorensen's recent form in front of goal allied to our striking drought inevitably prompted calls for him to be blooded at senior level.

While there's a clear improvement in his play this season, to expect a lad who turned 19 last month to make the step straight from age restricted reserve team games to the Premier League is unreasonable - and potentially ruinous if it doesn't come off.

Finding the net in recent CheckaTrade Trophy ties against League One Doncaster Rovers and League Two Notts County gives rise to optimism that he could hold his own at that level - and that should really be his next destination, on a loan deal.