The Premier League stars who lit up Matchday 31

A number of sides picked up key wins this weekend with Crystal Palace and Bournemouth both victorious on the road.

Manchester United seized control of third place thanks to Newcastle's loss at Aston Villa, which kept Unai Emery's men in the hunt for European qualification.

With Leeds and Liverpool facing off tonight, we pick out five stars from an action-packed Matchday 31 so far.

Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

Villa's 3-0 win over the Magpies on Saturday was their seventh victory in eight matches and it was Ollie Watkins at the heart of the action once again.

The 27-year-old forward bagged a brace and an assist to extend his scoring run to four games in a row and he could have had a hat-trick if it were not for VAR ruling out another of his strikes.

Watkins' cushioned header set up Jacob Ramsey for the opener before he lashed home on the turn to double the home side's lead. 

His second trickled past Toon stopper Nick Pope to guarantee three points and take his total Premier League tally for the season to 14.

Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)

Palace have now won three on the bounce and their 2-0 victory at Southampton lifted them nine points clear of the drop zone.

Eberechi Eze scored twice in 14 second-half minutes to deliver a killer blow to the Saints who remain rooted to the foot of the division.

The Eagles midfielder reacted quickest to a loose ball and volleyed home inside the box for the first goal before sending a superb low strike past Gavin Bazunu from outside the area.

Eze has now scored in consecutive games and the South Londoners have transformed their season under Roy Hodgson.

Daniel James (Fulham)

Fulham picked up their first win since February at Everton on Saturday despite the continued absence of suspended striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Daniel James occupied the Serbian's No9 role at Goodison Park and stepped up accordingly with a goal and an assist as the Cottagers won 3-1.

The Welshman bagged the visitors' third goal after getting in behind the Toffees defence and slotting past Jordan Pickford with his left foot.

Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)

Less than a month ago, Bournemouth looked a sure bet to go down but their resurgence has put them six points clear of the bottom three.

A blockbuster 3-2 win at Tottenham on Saturday gave the Cherries a huge three points and Dominic Solanke had a hand in all three of his team's goals in North London.

The 25-year-old played a teasing ball through to Matias Vina who dinked his effort over Hugo Lloris to cancel out Heung-Min Son's early effort and he replicated the midfielder's finish for his strike, chipping over the Frenchman for the lead.

It was then Solanke's pass that teed up Dango Ouattara who won it for the South Coast side in stoppage time.

Antony (Manchester United)

After throwing away a 2-0 lead against Sevilla in the Europa League, it was important that United bounced back at Nottingham Forest and the Red Devils put on a dominant display.

It was an enjoyable afternoon for Brazilian winger Antony, who notched a goal and an assist at the City Ground on Sunday.

The ex-Ajax star pounced on a loose ball to give his side the lead before playing a delicate reverse pass through to Diogo Dalot, who put the game to bed in the second half.