Loic Remy's late strike shifts pressure to Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert - match analysis

Alan Pardew made reference to an uncomfortable week after Loic Remy's last-gasp winner took the heat off the Magpies boss.

The St James' Park chief was under mounting pressure after seven defeats from the last nine games left his position vulnerable in the Newcastle United soap opera.

But after Remy's strike eased matters on Tyneside, the spotlight swung in Paul Lambert's direction.

Lambert will be grateful to have an owner as supportive as Randy Lerner with the club embroiled in a relegation battle which is likely to go to the wire.

Contrast Lerner to one-man wrecking ball Mike Ashley and that gratitude grows with every passing day.

Lambert's job is not in any danger – talk of a new contract highlights that – but there is discontent among the fans that is growing.

It is worth reiterating that, while a long-term plan is admirable and Villa need stability, there must be discernible short-term gains.

Lambert's reluctance to open up and outline the project further continues to work against him.

And three wins from the last 17 games in all competitions does not do him any favours. Yesterday's late defeat left 13th-placed Villa four points above the relegation zone ahead of Sunday's visit of Norwich. The manager refused to panic after a game which should have yielded a point, despite a lack of potency, especially from Christian Benteke.

The striker had shown signs of recovery after his four-month goal drought ended against Arsenal last month, but in the north east he reverted to his previous lacklustre self.

• Newcastle 1 Aston Villa 0 - match report and pictures

• Newcastle 1 Aston Villa 0 - Vote for your Star of the match

Villa have not scored in three games and need Benteke to return to form with Gabby Agbonlahor and Andi Weimann failing to deliver on a consistent basis.

And Sunday's visit of Lambert's former side now takes on greater significance. The Canaries can really set the nerves jangling.

It starts a run of three straight home games and normally that would be a chance to bank some points.

But with just three league wins at Villa Park this season, that run will be met with trepidation rather than anticipation.

Villa have survived on their away record – taking 17 points on their travels – and more were expected at St James' Park, especially after the Magpies' recent run that threatened to derail their season.

But Newcastle grew in confidence as Villa waned.

Remy's well-taken goal deep into stoppage time was their reward for being more adventurous after a dormant first hour.

Villa had been on top after the first 10 minutes – where Remy and Papiss Cisse forced Brad Guzan into action.

After that the claret and blues took control and Agbonlahor tested Tim Krul before shooting over in between Leandro Bacuna twice going close with free-kicks.

The natives were restless – something Lambert had hope for before the game – as Newcastle lost their momentum.

Ashley Westwood anchored a composed midfield to give Villa a platform as Newcastle's nerves affected their play.

The visitors were granted space in the middle as the former Crewe man demonstrated the poise which deserted the hosts.

It was only after Westwood was forced off in the second half with a dead leg that Newcastle managed to wrestle back control of the midfield.

Villa couldn't maintain their momentum and, after Mike Williamson denied Villa the chance to break, St James' Park rallied.

Before then, Newcastle should have gone in at half time 1-0 ahead but Cisse blazed over after Remy's cutback.

It was the first time Villa had been seriously breached and, despite Newcastle regaining control after Westwood's departure, they were restricted to speculative efforts.

Yoan Gouffran shot over and Guzan denied Remy before the late drama when, with two minutes left, Luuk De Jong robbed Vlaar and squared for Remy, who struck the post.

It looked like a let-off for Villa but the Frenchman stole it in stoppage time, controlling De Jong's cross, slipping past Vlaar and smashing home from 12 yards.

It ended Newcastle's goal drought which had stretched for seven and a half hours in the Premier League as Pardew turned and smiled and Lambert held his head.

One suspects there will be plenty more head scratching before May.