Can Toon Repeat Last Season's Joy?

12 September 2013 12:10
Aston Villa v Newcastle ... our NU-MAD preview ...  2012/13 ASTON VILLA 1 NEWCASTLE 2

    1. Tim Krul    26. Mathieu Debuchy    27. Steven Taylor    2. Fabricio Coloccini    3. Davide Santon    14. James Perch 69'    4. Yohan Cabaye    11. Yoan Gouffran 74'    7. Moussa Sissoko 79'    18. Jonas Gutierrez    9. Papiss Cisse

Subs

    37. Steve Harper    6. Mike Williamson    8. Vurnon Anita 74'    13. Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa 79'    20. Gael Bigirimana    23. Shola Ameobi 69'    28. Sammy Ameobi

Newcastle registered their first away win of the campaign to plunge fellow strugglers Aston Villa deeper into the Barclays Premier League relegation mire.

First-half goals from Papiss Cisse and Yohan Cabaye put Newcastle in command and ended a sequence of 17 games without a victory away from St. James' Park in all competitions this season.

All Villa could manage in reply was a Christian Benteke penalty early in the second period.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew handed debuts to the French duo of Moussa Sissoko and Yoan Gouffran and the former, also a target for Villa this month, set up the opening goal for Cisse.

His side dominated the opening 45 minutes with Sissoko quickly settling into his central-midfield role.

Then Newcastle showed enough know-how and experience to take the sting out of the second period after initially threatening to be over-run by a rejuvenated Villa.

Villa manager Paul Lambert received backing on the eve of the game from Villa chairman Randy Lerner but the alarm bells continue to ring loudly for his side.

Villa have now lost their last three home league games against fellow strugglers in Wigan, Southampton and now the Magpies.

They have taken just two points from their last seven games in addition to their double cup setback against lower graded Bradford and Millwall.

With no sign of any new signings before the transfer window closes on Thursday, there is a massive question mark over whether the current squad is good enough to survive.

Lambert started Benteke and Darren Bent together up front for the first time in a league match since September.

Villa looked to have strong claims for a penalty after 14 minutes after Benteke ran onto a pass from Bent.

His low cross appeared to strike the hand of Newcastle defender Fabricio Coloccini but referee Mike Dean waved play on.

Newcastle looked the more assured side and Davide Santon forced the first save of the game from Villa keeper Brad Guzan with a dipping drive.

It came as no surprise when Cisse broke the deadlock for Newcastle after 19 minutes with his seventh goal of the campaign.

Sissoko supplied the telling pass which was seized onto by Cisse. He kept his composure and drilled a low shot past Guzan into the corner of the net.

Villa tried to retaliate and former Newcastle player Charles N'Zogbia came close to equalising three minutes later.

His 25-yard drive contained too much power for Tim Krul but crashed against the woodwork.

But Newcastle doubled their lead after 31 minutes with a stunning strike from Cabaye. Villa skipper Ron Vlaar's headed clearance from a Jonas Gutierrez centre fell straight to the midfielder whose volley from just outside past the box flew past the despairing dive of Guzan.

Benteke created a yard of space for himself with a sharp turn after controlling a centre from Ashley Westwood but he could not keep his shot down.

Lambert made a double half-time substitution with Gabriel Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann replacing Bent and Joe Bennett.

Villa began the second period with more impetus and Krul was twice tested in quick succession, beating out Weimann's shot on the turn and then parrying Benteke's fierce drive.

The home side were given a lifeline after 48 minutes when Mathieu Debuchy conceded a penalty after a clumsy challenge on Agbonlahor when going away from goal

Up stepped Benteke to send Krul the wrong way from the spot for his 12th goal of the campaign.

Villa were revitalised and N'Zogbia's rising snap-shot was only inches off target. Weimann then got clear of the Newcastle defence from Benteke's pass but Krul was equal to his low drive.

Villa failed to maintain the early impetus of the second period although they continued to dominate territorially.

Gutierrez cleared a Matt Lowton header off the line as Newcastle held on to claim the three points.

VILLA PARK - ASTON VILLA

How To Get There By Car & Where To Park

The ground can be seen from the M6, if you are coming from the North side of Birmingham. Leave the M6 at Junction 6 and take the slip road sign posted Birmingham (NE). Turn right at the island (the fourth exit), the ground is well signposted from here. However to be on the safe side, turn right at the second set of traffic lights (there is the King Edward VII pub on the corner) on to Aston Hall Road. This road will take you down to the ground. Mostly street parking (don't be surprised though if you are approached by kids wanting to 'mind your car'), although this is not as plentiful as it once was due to a local residents only parking scheme now in place in the streets around the Witton roundabout area. Roland Archer a visiting Southampton fan adds; 'If you arrive early enough then in-between the Witton Arms and Witton Station there is a small pay and display car park which cost only £1.60 for six hours.'

Post Code for SAT NAV: B6 6HE

By Train

Take the short train journey from Birmingham New Street (around 10-15 minutes) to either Aston or Witton station. Witton station is nearer to the away section and is only a few minutes walk from the ground. Turn left out of the station exit and continue down to a roundabout. Turn left at the roundabout into Witton Lane and the entrance to the away section is down this road on the right. Aston station is about a ten minute walk away from Villa Park. Extra trains are laid on to the ground on matchdays.  Remember if travelling by train then you can save on the cost of fares by booking in advance. Visit the thetrainline website to see how much you can save.

What Is It Like For Away Supporters?

Away supporters are located on one side of the Doug Ellis Stand, towards the North end of the stadium. Up to 3,000 fans can be accommodated in this area, split between both the upper and lower tiers of the stand. The concourse at the back of the upper tier is particularly tight and easily becomes crowded, whereas there is more space behind the lower section. There is a fair selection of food available and it is the first football ground that I have visited that offers meat products that are Halal. There are a selection of pies (all £3.10), Burgers (£3.10), Fish & Chips (£3.50), Southern Fried Chicken and Chips (£3.50), Vegetable Samosas (£2) and Chips & Curry Sauce (£2.50). There are wide screen televisions on the concourse, showing past encounters between the teams before kick off. There is also betting facilities available in the form of a Ladbrokes outlet. Entrance to the stand is gained by entering your match ticket into an electronic reader.

A visit to Villa Park is normally an enjoyable experience, with the stewards normally taking a relaxed and friendly attitude. One concern though, is that there is very little separating the home and away fans and this could lead to possible future crowd problems. Where To Drink?

There are a number of pubs in the vicinity of Villa Park, but most of them on match days are either members only or have bouncers on the door. However, Dave Cooper recommends the following for away fans; 'The Witton Arms (formerly the Cap and Gown), is not a bad pub, to which half the pub is given to away fans (there is even a separate entrance for visiting fans). It is only two minutes walk from the away entrance, right on Witton Island, however it does charge £2 per person to gain entry'. Alex Alexander a visiting Norwich City fan adds; 'We found a pub approximately 15 minutes walk from the ground where away fans were made welcome. It is called the Yew Tree. Although they don’t serve real ale, they had a good range of beers and Magner’s on draught. It is on the same road as the Witton Arms, but with this pub on your left carry straight on up the road, passing Witton Railway Station on your right. After about half a mile you will see the pub on the right hand side'.

If you arrive a bit earlier then you may wish to visit the historic Bartons Arms, located about a 15 minute walk away on High Street Aston (A34). This Grade II listed building, is one of Birmingham's finest pubs, with superb Victorian decor, serving Oakham ales and Thai food is also on offer. It is a regular entry in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.

Darren Williams a visiting Manchester City fan adds; 'We have always park at an entertainment complex called StarCity. It is just off Junction 6 of the M6, going towards Villa Park. Huge free car park, plus plenty of food and drink outlets. It is then about a mile and half walk to the ground'. Please note that alcohol is not available to away fans inside the stadium.

White Lion Pub Four Oaks. Located 15 minutes drive from Junction 9 of the M42 the White Lion pub is located in the leafy suburbs of Four Oaks, the pub is the perfect stop off point for fans on their way to Villa Park. A Thwaites pub it is popular with drinkers and those who enjoy watching sports with a number of large screens showing the early kick off. The pub is friendly and the landlord Andy Thompson has had plenty of experience of entertaining large groups of visiting fans in the pub trade. The large car park has ample space for coaches, food is available too and breakfasts can be arranged on request. Villa Park is then a 20 minute drive away. Alternatively fans can leave their car at the pub and catch a train direct to Aston from Butlers Lane Station which is around a five minute walk away, with the railway journey to Aston taking 15 minutes. Give Andy a call on 0121 308 2313 or email him to discuss your requirements.The post code of the pub is B75 5HL.

VILLA v TOON - THE HISTORY

2012/2013 Tue 29 Jan Aston Villa 1 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Premier League   Sun 02 Sep Newcastle Utd. 1 - 1 Aston Villa Premier League  2011/2012 Sun 05 Feb Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Aston Villa Premier League   Sat 17 Sep Aston Villa 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premier League  2010/2011 Sun 10 Apr Aston Villa 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Premier League   Sun 22 Aug Newcastle Utd. 6 - 0 Aston Villa Premier League  2008/2009 Sun 24 May Aston Villa 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Premier League   Mon 03 Nov Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Aston Villa Premier League  2007/2008 Sat 09 Feb Aston Villa 4 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premier League   Sat 18 Aug Newcastle Utd. 0 - 0 Aston Villa Premier League  2006/2007 Wed 31 Jan Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Aston Villa Premiership   Sun 27 Aug Aston Villa 2 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Premiership  2005/2006 Sat 11 Feb Aston Villa 1 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Premiership   Sat 03 Dec Newcastle Utd. 1 - 1 Aston Villa Premiership  2004/2005 Sat 02 Apr Newcastle Utd. 0 - 3 Aston Villa Premiership   Sat 28 Aug Aston Villa 4 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Premiership  2003/2004 Sun 18 Apr Aston Villa 0 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Premiership   Sat 01 Nov Newcastle Utd. 1 - 1 Aston Villa Premiership  2002/2003 Mon 21 Apr Newcastle Utd. 1 - 1 Aston Villa Premiership   Sat 07 Dec Aston Villa 0 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premiership  2001/2002 Tue 02 Apr Aston Villa 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premiership   Sat 03 Nov Newcastle Utd. 3 - 0 Aston Villa Premiership  2000/2001 Sat 19 May Newcastle Utd. 3 - 0 Aston Villa Premiership   Wed 17 Jan Aston Villa 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. F.A. Cup   Sun 07 Jan Newcastle Utd. 1 - 1 Aston Villa F.A. Cup   Sat 02 Dec Aston Villa 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premiership  1999/2000 Sat 04 Dec Aston Villa 0 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premiership   Sat 07 Aug Newcastle Utd. 0 - 1 Aston Villa Premiership  1998/1999 Sat 30 Jan Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Aston Villa Premiership   Wed 09 Sep Aston Villa 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Premiership  1997/1998 Sun 01 Feb Aston Villa 0 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premiership   Sat 23 Aug Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Aston Villa Premiership  1996/1997 Sat 11 Jan Aston Villa 2 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Premiership   Mon 30 Sep Newcastle Utd. 4 - 3 Aston Villa Premiership  1995/1996 Sun 14 Apr Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Aston Villa Premiership   Sat 18 Nov Aston Villa 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premiership  1994/1995 Sat 25 Feb Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Aston Villa Premiership   Sat 01 Oct Aston Villa 0 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Premiership  1993/1994 Wed 27 Apr Newcastle Utd. 5 - 1 Aston Villa Premiership   Sat 02 Oct Aston Villa 0 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Premiership  1988/1989 Sat 08 Apr Newcastle Utd. 1 - 2 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 14 Jan Aston Villa 3 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1986/1987 Sat 07 Mar Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 25 Oct Aston Villa 2 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1985/1986 Wed 09 Apr Newcastle Utd. 2 - 2 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 26 Oct Aston Villa 1 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1984/1985 Sat 22 Dec Aston Villa 4 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Sat 01 Sep Newcastle Utd. 3 - 0 Aston Villa First Division  1977/1978 Mon 17 Apr Aston Villa 2 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Sat 08 Apr Newcastle Utd. 1 - 1 Aston Villa First Division  1976/1977 Sat 14 May Newcastle Utd. 3 - 2 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 18 Dec Aston Villa 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1975/1976 Sat 17 Jan Aston Villa 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Sat 06 Sep Newcastle Utd. 3 - 0 Aston Villa First Division  1966/1967 Sat 17 Dec Newcastle Utd. 0 - 3 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 20 Aug Aston Villa 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1965/1966 Sat 01 Jan Aston Villa 4 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Sat 09 Oct Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Aston Villa First Division  1960/1961 Sat 25 Feb Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 08 Oct Aston Villa 2 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1958/1959 Sat 21 Feb Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 04 Oct Aston Villa 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1957/1958 Sat 01 Mar Newcastle Utd. 2 - 4 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 19 Oct Aston Villa 4 - 3 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1956/1957 Sat 20 Apr Newcastle Utd. 1 - 2 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 13 Oct Aston Villa 3 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1955/1956 Sat 10 Mar Newcastle Utd. 2 - 3 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 29 Oct Aston Villa 3 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1954/1955 Mon 13 Sep Aston Villa 1 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Wed 08 Sep Newcastle Utd. 5 - 3 Aston Villa First Division  1953/1954 Sat 06 Mar Newcastle Utd. 0 - 1 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 17 Oct Aston Villa 1 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1952/1953 Fri 01 May Aston Villa 0 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Sat 13 Dec Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Aston Villa First Division  1951/1952 Sat 26 Apr Newcastle Utd. 6 - 1 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 08 Dec Aston Villa 2 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1950/1951 Wed 04 Apr Newcastle Utd. 0 - 1 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 07 Oct Aston Villa 3 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1949/1950 Sat 31 Dec Aston Villa 0 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Sat 03 Sep Newcastle Utd. 3 - 2 Aston Villa First Division  1948/1949 Mon 13 Sep Aston Villa 2 - 4 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Wed 08 Sep Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Aston Villa First Division  1937/1938 Sat 26 Feb Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Aston Villa Second Division   Sat 16 Oct Aston Villa 2 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Second Division  1936/1937 Tue 30 Mar Aston Villa 0 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Second Division   Fri 26 Mar Newcastle Utd. 0 - 2 Aston Villa Second Division  1933/1934 Sat 07 Apr Newcastle Utd. 1 - 1 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 25 Nov Aston Villa 2 - 3 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1932/1933 Tue 18 Apr Aston Villa 3 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Mon 17 Apr Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Aston Villa First Division  1931/1932 Fri 01 Jan Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Aston Villa First Division   Mon 28 Dec Aston Villa 3 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1930/1931 Tue 07 Apr Aston Villa 4 - 3 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Thu 01 Jan Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Aston Villa First Division  1929/1930 Sat 12 Apr Aston Villa 2 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Sat 07 Dec Newcastle Utd. 2 - 2 Aston Villa First Division  1928/1929 Wed 13 Mar Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 15 Sep Aston Villa 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1927/1928 Sat 10 Mar Newcastle Utd. 7 - 5 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 29 Oct Aston Villa 3 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1926/1927 Sat 15 Jan Aston Villa 1 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Sat 28 Aug Newcastle Utd. 4 - 0 Aston Villa First Division  1925/1926 Sat 23 Jan Newcastle Utd. 2 - 2 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 12 Sep Aston Villa 2 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1924/1925 Sat 03 Jan Newcastle Utd. 4 - 1 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 06 Sep Aston Villa 0 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1923/1924 Mon 21 Apr Aston Villa 6 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Tue 01 Jan Newcastle Utd. 4 - 1 Aston Villa First Division  1922/1923 Sat 23 Dec Newcastle Utd. 0 - 0 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 16 Dec Aston Villa 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1921/1922 Sat 24 Dec Aston Villa 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Sat 17 Dec Newcastle Utd. 1 - 2 Aston Villa First Division  1920/1921 Sat 11 Dec Aston Villa 0 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Sat 04 Dec Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Aston Villa First Division  1919/1920 Mon 05 Apr Aston Villa 4 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Thu 01 Jan Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Aston Villa First Division  1914/1915 Wed 28 Apr Newcastle Utd. 3 - 0 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 31 Oct Aston Villa 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1913/1914 Sat 04 Apr Aston Villa 1 - 3 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Sat 29 Nov Newcastle Utd. 2 - 2 Aston Villa First Division  1912/1913 Sat 26 Apr Newcastle Utd. 2 - 3 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 21 Dec Aston Villa 3 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1911/1912 Sat 20 Apr Aston Villa 2 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Sat 16 Dec Newcastle Utd. 6 - 2 Aston Villa First Division  1910/1911 Sat 18 Mar Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 12 Nov Aston Villa 3 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1909/1910 Wed 27 Apr Aston Villa 4 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Sat 11 Dec Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Aston Villa First Division  1908/1909 Mon 26 Apr Aston Villa 3 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Sat 21 Nov Newcastle Utd. 0 - 2 Aston Villa First Division  1907/1908 Wed 08 Apr Newcastle Utd. 2 - 5 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 30 Nov Aston Villa 3 - 3 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1906/1907 Sat 16 Mar Newcastle Utd. 3 - 2 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 10 Nov Aston Villa 0 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1905/1906 Sat 24 Mar Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 18 Nov Aston Villa 0 - 3 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1904/1905 Wed 05 Apr Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 26 Nov Aston Villa 0 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1903/1904 Sat 07 Nov Aston Villa 3 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Wed 02 Sep Newcastle Utd. 1 - 1 Aston Villa First Division  1902/1903 Sat 28 Mar Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 29 Nov Aston Villa 7 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1901/1902 Sat 05 Apr Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 07 Dec Aston Villa 0 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1900/1901 Wed 17 Apr Newcastle Utd. 3 - 0 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 17 Nov Aston Villa 2 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1899/1900 Sat 10 Mar Newcastle Utd. 3 - 2 Aston Villa First Division   Sat 04 Nov Aston Villa 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division  1898/1899 Mon 26 Dec Aston Villa 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division   Sat 01 Oct Newcastle Utd. 1 - 1 Aston Villa First Division 

Source: Newcastle United Mad

Source: FOOTYMAD