Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew believes Mike Ashley proved his commitment to the club with their winter market spending.

Pardew believes they have invested in the future, not just a relegation fight.

Pardew said: "The signings have shown Mike is committed to the club because you don't sign players at that age if you're not.

"If it was a short-term option he probably would have given me the signal to buy some older players to make sure we stayed in the division and if they were any good next year, it wouldn't really matter.

"His vision is much more long-term and that's why we've bought these players. They were well in the system and well along the road to being finalised before the window. But we've accelerated one or two.

"It might have cost Mike more money but we needed to do it. It didn't happen because of the Reading game but it was significant the owner was there that day. His reaction has been very strong.

"It was a watershed game. When I turn around at Aston Villa I'm going to see a much stronger bench. There's been occasions when I've thought, 'My team should be stronger than this'. I don't envisage that now. The challenge for me is to get the team there quickly."