Villa lose to Newcastle and surrender top spot in the Premier League for the first time since the opening day of the season after a fourth defeat in twenty three top flight games under John Gregory.

Forward Alan Lee, 20, makes his sole squad appearance for Villa as an unused substitute after coming through the youth ranks. Lee would move on to Burnley for £150,000 in July 1999.

Ian Taylor suffers his 50th defeat in a Villa shirt on his 166th appearance (154 Starts) to make it W77 D39 L50, 21 Goals, 10 Assists and 30 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Paul Merson scores his 5th goal in a Villa shirt on his 13th appearance (12 Starts) to make it W6 D4 L3, 5 Goals, 1 Assist and 1 Booking at a goal involvement rate of one for every 2.17 games played so far in his Villa career.

Lee Hendrie collects his 10th booking in a Villa shirt on his 62nd appearance (48 Starts) to make it W32 D12 L18, 5 Goals, 9 Assists, 10 Bookings and 1 Red Card at a rate of a card every 5.6 games so far in his Villa career.

Future Villa goalkeeper Shay Given lines up for Newcastle.