22 mins Bramble pushed over Moore five yards from the left edge of the box. Cooke stepped up and hit an excellent bending free-kick to the left of Bartlett. 0-1

45 mins Smylie was dispossessed in the centre-circle and defender Gate slipped allowing Moore a run on goal. Bramble tried to cover but only succeeded in tripping the Villa forward who got up to score the spot-kick. 0-2

Half time: Villa 2 Newcastle 0

Full time: Villa 3 Newcastle 0

"We're in a bad run of form and we don't look like winning games. I was disappointed with the all-round performance, and there were a lot of poor individual performances."

"Titus came through the game very well. His fitness has taken another step forward and his contribution was good. The 90 minutes was an ideal workout for him and he's had no reaction. He'll be a bit stiff today but it was his first game and that's what you expect.

"As a fitness exercise it was perfect for him. And Ronny has also taken another step forward."

A depressing night in the West Midlands as our reserves extended their scoreless run to 335 minutes and were well beaten by last year's league champions at a cold and wet Villa Park.  

With Steven Taylor away on England U21 duty we had a new central defensive pairing, Ronny Johnsen returning to one of his former haunts alongside Titus Bramble making a first appearance of the season after injury.

And it was Bramble who conceded a free kick on 22 minutes, pushing over Luke Moore outside the United area.

When the free kick came, a superb 25 yard effort from Walsall-born Stephen Cooke gave Bartlett in goal no chance to put the home side ahead.

Our best chance of the half had come on 37 minutes when fit-again Martin Brittain had curled a free kick narrowly over the cross bar, but Villa deservedly went two ahead seconds before the interval.

Smylie was dispossessed in the centre-circle and defender Kris Gate slipped allowing Moore a run on goal. Bramble tried to cover but only succeeded in tripping the Villa forward, referee Miss A.Rayner pointing to the spot. 

And it was Moore who converted the penalty to send United into the dressing room to reflect on an error-strewn opening half, in which they had failed to adapt to the conditions and posed little threat to last season's champions.

The second half was little better despite coach Tommy Craig using all three subs and Villa made it 3-0 on 70 minutes.

Goalscorer was 17 year-old striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, who ran on to a through ball from Gardner before slotting under Bartlett, questions being asked again of our somewhat rusty central defenders, Johnsen and Bramble who had started the second half as a back three along with substitute David Edgar.

It wasn't just the defending of our experienced pair that caused concern but their immobility and poor distribution was also worrying. Johnsen compounded his miserable evening with a 62nd minute booking for hauling down Gardner.

Three goals in six games for Newcastle so far this season tell their own story, especially with only one coming from a striker (Ameobi) and our struggling front pairing of Guy and Bates unable to fashion anything from the meagre service being provided from midfield.

Niall MacKenzie

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