Barclays Premier League

FULL-TIME

Newcastle record their first away win of the season thanks to a hard-earned 2-1 win at struggling Aston Villa. The visitors opened the scoring after 19 minutes thanks to a clinical finish from Papiss Cisse after being set up by one of Alan Pardew's January signings Moussa Sissoko. The hosts came close to restoring parity but Charles N'Zogbia's stunning strike crashed against the woodwork and they were made to pay for their profligacy when Yohan Cabaye hit a 25 yard right-foot screamer past Brad Guzan. Villa came out a different side in the second period and pulled a goal back thanks to Christian Benteke's penalty after substitute Gabby Agbonlahor was brought down by Mathieu Debuchy. Paul Lambert's side have now gone seven Premier League matches without a win.

NAIL BITING

Christian Benteke heads the ball across goal, but Andreas Weimann just fails to get himself in the right position. Some finger nails are being bitten by the visiting Toon supporters.

LAST DITCH

Desperate defending by Newcastle as Ron Vlaar's left-foot shot is blocked. The board goes up and we're going to have FIVE added minutes. The crowd noise immediately lifts inside Villa Park.

TOON CHAOS

Just over 30,000 inside Villa Park tonight as Shola Ameobi is shown a yellow card after crashing into Ron Vlaar. The resulting free-kick causes havoc in the Magpies' box, but Tim Krul eventually claims the ball.

CLOCK TICKING

Time is running out for Aston Villa as Newcastle defend deeper and deeper. Vurnon Anita is caught in an offside position as Paul Lambert jogs up and down the touchline barking orders to his players.

GREAT CLEARANCE

Ashley Westwood's corner is met by Nathan Baker, but fortunately for Newcastle they are able to clear the ball from almost off the goal line by Jonas Gutierrez with a number of defenders deep in a crowded penalty box.

FINAL CHANGE

Mike Dean dishes out another yellow card to Gabby Agbonlahor I believe, although I'm not sure what happened in the corner, possibly some dissent from the winger. Another French signing Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa replaces Moussa Sissoko as Alan Pardew makes his final change.

FIRM TACKLE

Matthew Lowton goes in hard on Davide Santon with his studs showing. Mike Dean decides to award Newcastle the free-kick and nothing else.

ANITA ON

Christian Benteke sends his right-footer wide of the far post with the goal at his mercy but the flag is up on the far side. Newcastle respond by making a change with Vurnon Anita coming on for Yoan Gouffran.

PRESSURE BUILDING

Barry Bannan finds Andreas Weimann who wins a corner but Ashley Westwood's delivery is headed away. Now Jonas Gutierrez inexcusably allows the ball run between his legs and out for a throw to the hosts.

TOON CHANGE

Interesting change by Alan Pardew as Shola Ameobi replaces James Perch. Maybe an attacking intent by the Newcastle boss as he looks to put this game to bed.

BAD CHALLENGE

Charles N'Zogbia wins Villa a throw and Nathan Baker attempts to cross the ball, but it bounces back to Mathieu Debuchy. The Villa defender then hacks the full-back down and Mike Dean has no choice put to get his cards out again.

NOWHERE TO GO

Yoan Gouffran's through ball is collected by Brad Guzan but as Villa look to build from the back, they immediately go back to the American, which is received with some boos from the home crowd.

LATE TACKLE

Moussa Sissoko goes into referee Mike Dean's book for a late tackle. The man in yellow now has words with Gabby Agbonlahor after his late challenge on Mathieu Debuchy.

BRILLIANT SAVE

Gabby Agbonlahor flicks the ball on for Christian Benteke who hits a fantastic crossfield pass to Andreas Weimann whose right-foot drive is superbly saved by the busy Tim Krul.

SIDE NETTING

Villa are utterly transformed as they come forward again, but this time Charles N'Zogbia's effort hits the side netting with some of the crowd thinking the ball had crept in.

WELL OVER

Barry Bannan sends his shot well over the crossbar after excellent work down the left from Gabby Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann.

ALMOST IN

Christian Benteke is put clean through, but then Tim Krul comes out to make the block before the ball bounces back into the path of the striker, but he is driven wide. Suddenly, the atmosphere has picked up inside Villa Park.

JONAS BOOKED

Jonas Gutierrez has been shown a yellow card after an altercation with Andreas Weimann on the halway line. The conversation goes on between the pair as play continues. This game has caught fire all of a sudden.

WELL TAKEN

The Belgium international striker sends Tim Krul the wrong way as he slots the ball into the left-hand side. That's his 12th goal of the season for Villa. Game on!

GOOOAAALLL!!!

CHRISTIAN BENTEKE

PENALTY TO VILLA

Substitute Gabriel Agbonlahor wins his side a penalty after being brought crashing to the ground on the edge of the area by Mathieu Debuchy with a silly challenge.

TWO SAVES

This is a very attacking line-up now for Villa as they immediately test Tim Krul. Andreas Weimann's shot is palmed away and then Christian Benteke's effort is well saved.

TWO CHANGES

Villa have made two changes to their side with Darren Bent and Joe Bennett going off with Gabby Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann coming on. Villa's goals against column reads minus 27, which is eight goals worse off from QPR and Wigan who occupy the bottom two spots in the Premier League. If Newcastle hold onto three points tonight they will climb above Southampton into 15th position and five points above the drop zone.

HERE WE GO

The second half is underway at Villa Park. Newcastle have gone 12 league games without an away win - the longest in the club's history is 18 games, set in 1984-85, but it doesn't look as though it's going to go that far as they're comfortably ahead tonight. Villa last found the net at home in a 1-0 win over Reading on November 27th, so the away side seem to be strong favourites to see out the remaining 45 minutes without being troubled.

HALF-TIME

Newcastle are well on their way to recording their first away win of the season as Aston Villa's slump continues. The visitors opened the scoring after 19 minutes thanks to a clinical finish from Papiss Cisse after being set up by one of Alan Pardew's January signings Moussa Sissoko. The hosts came close to restoring parity but Charles N'Zogbia's stunning strike crashed against the woodwork and they were made to pay for their profligacy when Yohan Cabaye hit a 25 yard right-foot screamer past Brad Guzan. It's been very comfortable for the Magpies and Paul Lambert's Lions will need a pretty special second 45 minutes to turn this around.

FIRST YELLOW

Charles N'Zogbia is booked to loud cheers from the Newcastle fans after a late challenge on Yohan Cabaye. An easy decision for referee Mike Dean.

HIGH AND WIDE

The ball is lifted into the visitors' box to Christian Benteke, but the big Belgian fires the ball well over the crossbar from a tight angle, which was always against him.

CUTTING EDGE

Villa have lacked a real cutting edge in the middle of the park. Ron Vlaar tries to distribute the ball from the back, but Newcastle have enough players back to head it away.

OUT OF LUCK

Darren Bent is caught in an offside position and that's the way things are going for the home team this evening. The men from the North East have dominated possession and deserve this lead as Charles N'Zogbia wins a throw for his side on halfway.

AGAINST THE WALL

Yohan Cabaye's strike hits the wall and now Newcastle win a corner kick which is swung in, but Brad Guzan punches the ball away to safety.

FREE KICK

Yoan Gouffran is felled on the edge of the box by Matthew Lowton and this is in a very dangerous position if you're a Villa fan.

STUNNING GOAL

The ball into the Villa box is headed up into the air by Ron Vlaar, which allows Yohan Cabaye to set himself before lashing his right-foot swinger past Brad Guzan into the top corner from 25 yards. An absolutely magnificent hit!

GOOOAAALLL!!!

YOHAN CABAYE

NO MAGIC

Ron Vlaar makes an important block as Christian Benteke flicks the ball on for Darren Bent. He finds Charles N'Zogbia in support, but he fails to fool Mathieu Debuchy with his tricks.

POOR PASS

The Magpies look comfortable on the ball and deserve this lead as they go in search of their first away win of the season. Charles N'Zogbia looks to find Darren Bent, but it was always too long for him as Tim Krul comes out.

SLIDING TACKLE

Villa have recorded just one win from their last nine home games as Yoan Gouffran chases down Brad Guzan, who clears long. Now Mathieu Debuchy slides into Joe Bennett with his studs showing, but play continues.

SUPER HIT

A win for Newcastle would take them four points clear of Aston Villa and new boy Moussa Sissoko has already made an impact. Villa come close to restoring parity though as Charles N'Zogbia spanks the ball flush on the volley from 25 yards which cracks off the crossbar. So unlucky for the former Toon man!

COOL FINISH

Papiss Cisse scores his fifth Premier League goal and his seventh of the season with a neat right-foot finish into the far corner after a superb slide rule pass from Moussa Sissoko to put him in on goal.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

PAPISS CISSE

GOOD SAVE

At the other end Davide Santon cuts inside before hitting a fantastic right-foot drive from 25 yards, but Brad Guzan gets down very quickly to parry it away to safety.

PENALTY SHOUT

Villa break through Christian Benteke and his low cross is cut out by Fabricio Coloccini, although the home side claim the defender handled the ball whilst he was sliding to meet the it. Referee Mike Dean waved play on.

NICE TOUCHES

Newcastle are working hard playing a pressing game, but Villa play the ball out well this time with some fine one-touch football. The home fans appreciate that through loud applause.

DANGEROUS CROSS

Villa are unable to get out of their half at the moment as Newcastle attack down the flank and Jonas Gutierrez's cross is flicked up in the air to Matthew Lowton who knocks long.

LOUD RELIEF

Ron Vlaar makes an important block inside the box to deny Jonas Gutierrez a shot on target. The resulting corner is cleared to a chorus of loud cheers from the Holte End. Villa have conceded a lot of goals from corner kicks recently, but they defended that just fine.

WILD STRIKE

Charles N'Zogbia is down receiving some attention after taking a slight knock, but he's soon back on his feet. Seconds later, Moussa Sissoko picks up the ball about 35 yards out and lets fly, but it was always rising above the crossbar.

BENT CLOSE

Barry Bannan plays the ball inside to Christian Benteke and he looks for his strike partner Darren Bent with a nice pass over the top, but the England man fails to control it and Tim Krul is quickly out.

BLACK AND WHITE

The visitors have started very confidently in these opening few minutes with Villa happy to sit back and allows them to keep the ball. Saying that, Mathieu Debuchy goes and gives the ball away.

DIFFERENT SYSTEMS

Newcastle have lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Papiss Cisse leading the line while the home side have set up in a 3-5-2 system which served them well until their recent bad run. The away side has failed to win any of their last 11 meetings between these sides, going back to a 2-1 Newcastle win in February 2006. So with the influx of French players at St James' Park, will it be a case of Les Miserables for the Magpies in the Midlands tonight?

WE'RE UNDERWAY

Here we go then in this crunch six-pointer at Villa Park. The home side are in their traditional claret and blue kit while the Magpies in their famous black and white strip. Villa are shooting towards the North Stand, for those of you who know the layout of the ground. The pitch is immaculately smooth while the crowd is in full voice from both ends of the ground, although it's by no means a full house. Villa are searching for their first win in seven Premier League games, while the Magpies are in search of their first away win of the season. They currently have the worst away record in the top five divisions in England!

TEAM NEWS

Christian Benteke and Darren Bent start up front for the first time since the 4-1 defeat at Southampton in September. Paul Lambert makes four changes from the side which went down at Millwall. Brad Guzan comes in for Shay Given, Nathan Baker replaces Eric Lichaj, Barry Bannan comes in for Fabian Delph and Benteke replaces Andreas Weimann. Moussa Sissoko and Yoan Gouffran will make their Newcastle debuts as Alan Pardew also makes four changes to his side which lost at home to Reading last time out. Steven Taylor and James Perch also come in to the starting XI. Mike Williamson, Vurnon Anita and Shola Ameobi drop down to the bench, while Sylvain Marveaux has a slight knock and misses out. Fellow new arrival Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is named among the subs, while the fourth addition, Massadio Haidara has not made the matchday party.

TEAMS

ASTON VILLA: Guzan, Clark, Vlaar (c), Baker, Lowton, Westwood, Bannan, N'Zogbia, Bennett, Benteke, Bent. SUBSTITUTES: Given, Ireland, Agbonlahor, Holman, Bowery, Weimann, Lichaj. NEWCASTLE: Krul; Debuchy, Taylor, Coloccini (c), Santon; Perch, Cabaye; Gouffran, Sissoko, Gutierrez; Cisse. SUBSTITUTES: Harper, Anga-Mbiwa, Williamson, Bigirimana, Anita, Sammy Ameobi, Shola Ameobi.

MATCH PREVIEW

Aston Villa entertain Newcastle in a proverbial six-pointer at Villa Park with both sides desperate to halt their slump towards to bottom three. Paul Lambert's men currently sit one point clear of the relegation zone and have gone six Premier League matches without a win dating back to a shock 3-1 triumph at Liverpool in mid-December. They have also suffered an agonising time of late, losing 2-1 at Millwall in the FA Cup after being knocked out of the Capital One Cup semi-finals by League Two side Bradford City. The Magpies are in 16th spot, just a single point above their opponents, and two above the drop zone. They are also the only top flight side without an away win this season. The Magpies have not won at Villa since February 2006, but the hosts have an awful home record this season, having won just two games. They have also lost three straight matches and have gone 370 top flight minutes without a goal, so something has to give tonight.

READY FOR FIGHT

Lambert is adamant that he would never walk away from his job at Villa. After Cup defeats to lower-league opposition in the past week, the Scot is feeling the heat, but is hopeful that his young side to pick themselves up for this huge clash. He said: "There's no chance I'd walk away from it. You have to fight like anything to get up. You pick yourself up and there's no point in lying down and accepting it. I've never had a run like this as a manager or been hit from pillar to post like this. It's an experience you take on board and you use it. You can't have everything going your way in your managerial career every single time. You have to take the rough with the smooth and when the rough comes you take it."

GOOD SIGNS

Toon boss Alan Pardew been delighted with the club's January business so far and is looking forward to this evening's crunch match. He said: "Of course they're new guys and we're trying to settle them in and get them feeling comfortable - having so many French players here has helped, obviously - and so far the signs have been progressive and good. What we have to do is make sure that we are strong in every game, every fixture, and be competitive."

EARLY TEAM NEWS

Villa midfielder Fabian Delph has been ruled out with an ankle injury. Lambert has to decide whether to risk a recall for central defender Richard Dunne, who has started training after a lengthy lay-off with a groin problem. The Scot will also check on the fitness of utility defender Nathan Baker who has returned to training after a hamstring injury. Alan Pardew has included four of his January French signings in the squad. Midfielder Moussa Sissoko is likely to start along with full-back Mathieu Debuchy, while defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and striker Yoan Gouffran could also be involved and 20-year-old full-back Massadio Haidara will travel, but is not expected to feature. Midfielder Yohan Cabaye (groin) is fit and striker Papiss Cisse is expected to shake off a training ground knock, but although full- back Danny Simpson (broken toe) and Ryan Taylor (knee) are back in training. Midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring) is still several weeks away from a return.

REFEREE

The man in the middle of the action is Mike Dean. The 44-year-old from Heswall in the Wirral has handed out a card for every 5.9 fouls in the Premier League this season - the most frequent of any referee. His assistants down the flanks are Jake Collin and Lee Betts while the fourth official on the touchline is Chris Foy.