Newcastle United claimed what could prove to be a crucial 2-1 victory from their trip to fellow strugglers Aston Villa this evening.

The opening 45 minutes of the contest belonged to the visiting Magpies, who scored two unanswered goals.

Their first arrived in the 19th minute when Papiss Cisse slipped the ball underneath advancing Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan following a low through pass by debutant Moussa Sissoko.

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Then, with 31 minutes played, Yohan Cabaye capitalised on a poor headed clearance by home captain Ron Vlaar to volley into the net from 25 yards out.

In between those strikes, Villa went close through Charles N'Zogbia, who sent an effort from distance against the post.

Villa manager Paul Lambert reacted at half-time by introducing Gabriel Agbonlahor into the action and the England international had an almost immediate impact.

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The striker collected a deep cross and with his back to goal, he was hauled to the ground by Newcastle defender Mathieu Debuchy. Christian Benteke stepped up to take the resultant penalty, which he managed to convert beyond Tim Krul.

Having halved the deficit, the hosts went in search of an equaliser and went close just after the hour mark when Andreas Weimann saw his half-volley pushed to safety by Krul.

With eight minutes remaining centre-back Nathan Baker went even nearer to drawing Villa level, but his headed effort from a Barry Bannan corner was cleared off the line by Jonas Gutierrez as Newcastle held out for all three points.