Magpies win piles misery on Lambert

Aston Villa 1 Newcastle 2

Newcastle have lavished £18m this month, Aston Villa have not spent a penny. The wisdom of that decision by Randy Lerner, the Villa chairman, was again called into question as Paul Lambert’s team’s miserable run continued, the Midlands club slipping into the bottom three.

Alan Pardew hailed one of his new signings, Moussa Sissoko, as the catalyst for the win. “Sissoko really grabbed the game by the horns and that’s what we needed,” said Pardew. “I don’t think we’d have won that game if we hadn’t signed Sissoko — that’s how important he was.”

Villa have now claimed just two points from the last seven games and the defeat will heighten the heat on Lambert after he received the dreaded vote of confidence earlier this week.

First-half goals from Papiss Cisse and Yohan Cabaye proved decisive for the Magpies, with Christian Benteke’s penalty shortly after the interval proving a consolation as the Magpies’ claimed a first away win of the season.

Darren Bent and Benteke were handed their first league starts together since September 22, yet Richard Dunne failed to gain even a place among the substitutes despite Lambert’s suggestion before the game that the defender could be ready for his first action since Euro 2012.

Alan Pardew handed first starts to Yoan Gouffran and Sissoko — a player also targeted by Villa. With 19 minutes gone, he showed Lambert what he missed out on as he took advantage of Nathan Baker’s slack marking to thread in Papiss Cisse to fire past Guzan.

Villa came so close to levelling three minutes later. Ex-Magpie Charles N’Zogbia thundered a half-volley against the left post from Benteke’s knockdown. It was a stroke of genius and, in keeping with their recent luck, when Cabaye unleashed a shot of uncanny similarity when Jonas Gutierrez’s cross was only half cleared by Ron Vlaar, the result was an altogether different one as the ball arced into the right corner.

After the break Lambert introduced Gabby Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann for Bent and Joe Bennett, and Weimann’s snapshot on the turn forced Tim Krul into action.

Villa were gifted a route back into the match when Mathieu Debuchy tripped Agbonlahor as he ran away from goal. Benteke stepped up to slot his 12th goal of the season.

The home fans thought they had an equaliser in the 58th minute but, much to their disappointment, N’Zogbia’s fizzing shot hit the side netting.

Weimann, all industry, proved a constant nuisance and it took a fine reflex save from Krul to deny him when Benteke’s bending ball picked him out unmarked at the back post.

The game descended into a needly affair with six second-half bookings and it suited the Magpies, who escaped when Nathan Baker’s effort was cleared off the line.

Lambert needs new blood fast, but isn’t holding his breath. “Do I think people will come in? I’m not so sure. The situation hasn’t really changed since January 1.”

ASTON VILLA (3-4-1-2): Guzan 6; Clark 5, Vlaar 6, Baker 5; Lowton 5, Westwood 5, Bannan 5, Bennett 4 (Weimann 46, 7); N’Zogbia 7; Benteke 5, Bent 5 (Agbonlahor 46, 6).

NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1): Krul 6; Debuchy 5, Steven Taylor 6, Coloccini 6, Santon 6; Perch 6 (Shola Ameobi 69, 6), Cabaye 7; Gouffran 7, (Anita 74), Sissoko 7 (Yanga-Mbiwa 80), Gutierrez 7; Cisse 7.

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).