Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor has hailed new teammate Moussa Sissoko.

Sissoko was outstanding on debut in victory at Aston Villa.

Taylor smiled: "When you look around the dressing room and see new players, top-quality players, there's competition for places now. You've got to step up to the plate because the manager's said to us, 'Anyone slacking, you're out of the side'. The lads were getting tired, they had to play every week. With the new signings and everyone else getting fit, it's lifted everyone massively. The French boys, what a performance.

"Sissoko is a machine, he's an animal. Players are trying to get near him, and he's just bouncing them off. That's what we need, that big powerhouse."