Rafa Benitez refuses to speculate as Newcastle cling on

Aston Villa 0 Newcastle 0: Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez believes it is unfair to speculate over whether he could have saved the club from relegation had he been given more time.

Newcastle sacked Steve McClaren in March and replaced him with Benitez who, after three defeats in a winless first four matches, has since managed to stabilise the club to a degree.

However, it appears it could be too little too late as their fate is out of their own hands after Saturday’s goalless draw at already-relegated Aston Villa.