Newcastle United 2-0 Aston Villa

Newcastle United went back to the top of the table with a hard fought but deserved win against out of form Aston Villa this evening.

On a night that was full of passion off the terraces, with another wonderful display by Gallowgate Flags before the match the win would even be topped off by an own goal from Villa villain Henri Lansbury, a goal that got the biggest cheer of the night following his antics when playing for Forest against Newcastle earlier in the season.

The only sour note would be an injury to top scorer Dwight Gayle. One that has now been confirmed as likely to keep the striker out for another month.

STARTING XI: Darlow, Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett, Colback, Shelvey, Diame, Gouffran (Atsu, 89), Ritchie, Gayle (Mitrovic, 33)

Villa had started the brighter of the two sides and could and probably should have taken the lead early on with a great chance hit wide from just a couple of yards out from Bjarnason. But a goal from Gouffran (his 7th of the season) and that Lansbury own goal, after the ball had come back off the post from a Lascelles strike, would be enough to send the Geordie faithful home very happy indeed.

Pleasing would also be performances from Colback and Mitrovic who both turned up for this one, the latter as a sub. Both will be needed too with Gayle now out and Hayden still recovering after his op.

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