A week after being hammered by Stoke, Villa travel to St James’ Park and beat fellow strugglers Newcastle to move level on points with Fulham and four points clear of the relegation places. Villa though have played one more game than the club directly below them, Sunderland, who Villa now face in back to back games.

Dick Taylor's wildly inconsistent Villa win for the second time in three to make it seven wins, three draws and eleven defeats in twenty one League games so far this season.`