Newcastle United were able to finish their Premier League preparations with a bang last weekend as they won the Sela Cup at St James' Park. 

Victories against Fiorentina (2-0) on Saturday and Villarreal (4-0) on Sunday saw Eddie Howe's side lift the trophy, with the squad looking in excellent shape ahead of this weekend's opener against Aston Villa. 

The Toon rotated their squad for each friendly, with Sandro Tonali enjoying his first outing at St James' Park but it was the in-form duo of Miguel Almiron and Alexander Isak who stole the show.

Howe's side took the lead on 39 minutes when Isak produced a typically penetrating run before sliding a perfect through ball to Almiron, with the Paraguayan providing a clinical finish. 

The former Atalanta star has enjoyed a fine pre-season and looks in a confident mood, as he hopes to replicate his fantastic form from the 2022/23 campaign. 

Newcastle missed a number of chances to extend their lead but eventually wrapped things up when Isak was left unmarked to nod in Kieran Trippier's dangerous delivery.

Attention quickly turned to Villarreal and Howe named a completely changed XI, with Harvey Barnes marking his St James' Park debut with an impressive brace. 

It took just six minutes for the hosts to take the lead, as Jacob Murphy lashed the ball past Pepe Reina after Matt Ritchie's cross wasn't properly cleared.

Callum Wilson and Paul Dummett both saw efforts disallowed in the first half but Howe's side would make their dominance pay in the second 45.

Barnes made it 2-0 on 61 minutes after finding the corner from Joelinton's unselfish pass, although the Brazilian midfielder showed no signs of wanting to pass when he scored a phenomenal solo effort 14 minutes later. 

The 26-year-old has been a revelation since Howe moved him into the midfield and he exemplified his dramatic improvement under the English manager by driving at the opposition defence before curling the ball into the net off the post.

Not wanting to be outshone, Barnes added his second and Newcastle's fourth just three minutes later after being found by Wilson in the area, to ensure that Newcastle lifted the Sela Cup after two impressive wins against European opposition. 

Howe has some difficult decisions to make ahead of Newcastle's Premier League opener, which sees them take on Villa in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Saturday at 5:30 pm.