Newcastle's four game unbeaten Premier League run came to an end at a miserable St. James’ Park on Sunday, Aston Villa leaving Tyneside with maximum points for the first time since 2005.

A goal in each half saw the visitors revive their title challenge, taking two of the chances that fell their way in contrast to a Magpies side who huffed and puffed to little good effect throughout. 

Despite selection issues of their own - notably the absence of Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn - Unai Emery's side seemed unaffected by Thursday's Europa League tie in Turkey and posted a controlled defensive display between their two goals.

It could have been very different had Sandro Tonali found the net in the first 30 seconds; making space in the box with some nifty footwork to elude a trio of opponents, but seeing his shot smothered by Emiliano Martinez and the rebound ushered to safety.

Newcastle lined up without talisman Bruno Guimaraes, not risked after limping out of Wednesday's 3-0 win over PSV. Lewis Miley deputised in midfield and Tonali was entrusted with the role of playmaker.

A bright start should have seen United take the lead but once again, promising approach play failed to create chances for Yoane Wissa, preferred again to Nick Woltemade.

Villa went ahead in the 19th minute, Emiliano Buendia advancing to the right side of the box and steadying himself before firing past Nick Pope into the far corner of the Leazes End net.

United's best chance of a half when crosses and set pieces were routinely below-par came just before the interval when Miley's header from Gordon's left wing cross looked destined for the top corner until Martinez tipped it wide.

Wissa also managed to get his head to a cross from the left in first half added time but it lacked power and Martinez was able to save comfortably.

The second half was only a few minutes old when Joelinton signalled that he had injured his groin and was replaced by ex-Villan Jacob Ramsey who was greeted favourably by the away fans. Having seen yellow during a first half when he was in typically combative form, the Brazilian's replacement may have been advisable anyway in terms of keeping 11 players on the pitch.

The hosts pressed for an equaliser and ten minutes after the break Kieran Trippier's cross from the right looked set to find Harvey Barnes, only for the winger to try and get a boot on it rather than a header and fail to make contact with anything. Coming in at the back post, Anthony Gordon did connect, but blasted over from six yards out.

A double substitution saw Woltemade and Anthony Elanga replace Wissa and Gordon but chances were still at a premium despite extended periods of pressure from the black and whites. Crucially though, Martinez remained untested save for routine collections of mis-hit centres.

A performance that Emery called extraordinary was aided by United's shortcomings and the home side were put out their misery in the 88th minute when Ollie Watkins headed in at the far post - finally adding a Gallowgate goal to the five he's grabbed against United in previous meetings at Villa Park.

Despite there being well over ten minutes remaining, that was the signal for significant numbers of home fans to disgracefully stream out; seemingly forgetting Newcastle's two-goal fight back against Leeds United here earlier this month.

There was to be no late comeback this time though, United's third home league defeat of the season leaving them ninth in the table, on a day when victory could have taken up to fourth. That position and points tally mirrors Eddie Howe's side two years ago after the same number of games - and it's fair to say that our current situation mirrors 2024, even down to the barren mid-season window.

Biffa