Aston Villa really should have had more goals in the second half but failed to finish off ten-man Newcastle, although they never looked in trouble. Aston Villa 2 Newcastle 0

Scott Parker gets involved in a clash with Peter Whittingham and much to his disgust, earns the wrath of the referee and is given a yellow card.

Gareth Barry has celebrated the signing of a new long-term deal with a commanding performance and he has kept Milner under wraps, while he continues to probe the Newcastle back four.

Although Villa are controlling the game, the eagerness of the strikers is letting them down as they needlessly continue to get themselves caught offside.

The home fans are really enjoying themselves now as Villa are really piling the pressure on the visitors although the ten men of Newcastle have not given up yet.

The home side certainly look the side most likely to score and at the moment Newcastle are being stretched to keep Villa out.

Villa break forward again throught Angel. His shot is charged down but breaks to Davis but his attempted curler is easily gathered by Given.

Newcastle are really struggling to put Villa under any real pressure and the game is looking pretty comfortable for the home side.

Agbonlahor is deemed to have dived by the referee Howard Webb and picks up a yellow card.

Craig Moore upends Agbonlahor but the referee somehow waves play on but Carr comes across to prevent Villa breaking through.

Albert Luque is very isolated for the visitors and he has three Villa defenders to contend with, which means the ball keeps coming back the Newcastle defence.

Aston Villa are looking very much in control at the moment against the ten men of Newcastle and are looking the more likely to extend the scoring, although the keepers are not really being tested.

It seems as though Martins is unable to continue after falling awkwardly from an aerial challenge with Liam Ridgewell, so Newcastle's day is going from bad to worse.

Obafemi Martins seems to have picked up an injury and has been laying prone on the ground for a period of time, which could mean Newcastle finishing the game with ten men.

Newcastle are still enjoying large periods of pressure but Glenn Roeder's changes have yet to lead to any change in the pattern of play as Villa's defence remains fairly untroubled.

Newcastle make their final change and replace Emre with Nicky Butt.

Gareth Barry is hacked down by Craig Moore and Steven Davis' cross is met by Mellberg but he can't keep his header down.

Newcastle launch a quick counter and set Duff scampering into the Villa half but his shot is easily gathered by Sorensen in the Villa goal.

Stephen Carr concedes a needless free-kick in a dangerous area and Luke Moore almost forces an opening but Bramble and Carr scrape the ball clear.

The second half has yet to spring into life as Newcastle come to terms with their changes in personnel. No chances have been created so far.

Newcastle make a double change at the break and take off Solano and Celestine Babayaro with Albert Luque and Charles N'Zogbia. Newcastle get the game restarted.

Aston Villa have had to withstand a lot of pressure from Newcastle following Luke Moore's early goal, but the second from Juan Pablo Angel after 38 minutes seemed to give the home side a new lease of life. Aston Villa 2 Newcastle 0

Newcastle come forward with what will be the last attack, trying to reduce the deficit, but Duff's long-range effort goes wide.

The second goal has turned this game around totally as it is now Villa who look threatening. Agbonlahor though can't keep his shot down and the chance is gone.

Good passing from the home side ends with a surging run down the right from Gabriel Agbonlahor who slips the ball across for Juan Pablo Angel who tucks the ball home from am acute angle.

The home side actually manage to sustain a period of possession in the Newcastle half but they struggle to open up the visitors and Peter Whittingham's shot is easily charged down.

The Villa fans are growing a little frustrated, not only with their team's ineffectiveness but they appear to believe refereeing decisions are going against them.

Aston Villa are looking a little one-dimensional at the moment and Titus Bramble and Craig Moore are comfortably keeping the Villa attack in check.

Martin O'Neill is frantically waving instructions from the sidelines as his side is continually giving the ball away which is allowing Newcastle to take control and they are beginning to pile on the pressure.

Newcastle come forward again and feed Duff in space but his 25-yard shot is sliced and Thomas Sorensen watches it harmlessly drift wide of the post.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill will be frustrated with his side's attacking performance, despite the goal, becauise his players are giving the ball away far too easily.

Newcastle are shading the possession at the moment but the Villa defence, led by Olof Mellberg, is looking very strong.

Emre's trickery earns him some space and his cross reaches Milner at the far post, but it is a poor effort from the youngster which goes behind.

After a really bright start, chances are proving hard to come by and both keepers are mere spectators as the passing in the final third is pretty poor.

The game is being played at a high tempo with neither side prepared to concede an inch of ground, but the quality is lacking at the moment.

Some slick passing between Solano and Duff frees James Milner down the right, but the move breaks down as the cross goes harmlessly behind for a goal-kick.

The play has become a little scrappy and fragmented as neither side has really imposed themselves on the opposition.

Gavin McCann is late when making a challenge on Belozoglu Emre and concedes a free kick. Emre though continually remonstrates with the referee and eventually talks himself into a yellow card.

Barry flies in to a tackle on Damien Duff and deservedly becomes the first player to go into the book.

The crowd are bouyed by the early goal and they are giving Solano plenty of stick every time the Peruvian touches the ball.

Newcastle try and hit back straight away but Nolberto Solano's shot is deflected behind for a corner. The cross comes in and falls for James Milner but he is off-balance and lashes his shot over the bar.

Aston Villa keep the ball in the Newcastle box following a free kick and eventually breaks to Luke Moore on the edge of the box. His shot lacks power but eludes Shay Given and finds the bottom corner.

The home crowd is in full voice as they are not only celebrating the arrival of Randy Lerner but it has been announced that Gareth Barry has signed a new long-term deal.

Howard Webb blows his whistle and Aston Villa get the game underway.

New owner Randy Lerner is at Villa Park and he receives a standing ovation from the Villa faithful after appearing alongside outgoing chairman Doug Ellis.

Obafemi Martins will make his debut for Newcastle which is a relief for Glenn Roeder as Shola Ameobi has been ruled out with hip and hamstring problems. Shay Given and Craig Moore are fit to play though while Nolberto Solano comes in for Charles N'Zo

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is forced to make one change from the side that beat Reading 2-1 in midweek. Jlloyd Samuel has failed to recover from his thigh injury and his place goes to Peter Whittingham.