Newcastle 1 Aston Villa 0 - Report and pictures
Aston Villa remain in the Premier League's drop zone after Papiss Cisse scored the only goal of the game for hosts Newcastle United.
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The danger of the drop from the Premier Lague looms large for the claret and blues, after Cisse's first-half strike settled matters at St James' Park.
It was a second straight league defeat for new manager Tim Sherwood, after a late winner left them beaten at home to Stoke City last weekend.
The home side scored one of only a few clear-cut chances they created, as Villa were made to rue their failure to convert.
Villa had started the brighter and went close when Christian Benteke whipped in a low cross which was met by Scott Sinclair, but deflected wide for a corner.
Benteke then came perilously close to breaking the deadlock when his overhead kick forced Krul into a stunning save to palm the ball away for a corner.
It proved costly as, on 37 minutes, Newcastle took the lead against the run of play, as Cisse met Daryl Janmaat's right-wing cross to fire home from close range.
The goal lifted the Magpies, who could have doubled their lead before the interval as Emmanuel Riviere headed Sammy Ameobi's corner wide.
Cleverley continued to occupy a more forward role and he came closest to drawing Villa level in the second-half, but saw his low strike saved by the feet of Krul.
With 20 minutes remaining, Villa began to increase the pressure and went close as Krul made an uncharacteristic error, fumbling Westwood's corner and Benteke's follow-up was scooped away.
The travelling Villa faithful, situated in the top tier of the Sir John Hall stand, felt they were level as Benteke tapped home a Westwood cross but his shot was ruled out for offside.
Westwood and Benteke combined once more as the latter teed up substitute Charles N'Zogbia, whose rasping drive edged wide.
Villa continued to throw everything at their opponents, but had to be wary of the counter-attack.
In the dying embers of second half stoppage time, N'Zogbia unleashed a power-driver as Newcastle had only partially cleared their line, but the ball flew high over Krul's goal.
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