Half time: Villans 0 Magpies 0

Full time: Villans 0 Magpies 0

Eric Black said:

"I think last week we edged closer. We spoke all week about the supporters, because next season this club is going to need them, and at Watford with the performance I thought we edged towards them and again today I think we took another step.

"The supporters today were breathtaking and I think the players responded, played for the jersey and worked tirelessly.

"We had to try to get the supporters back on side before the end of this season, for the start of next season, because the atmosphere they create is pretty close to the 12th man. We need them and I think the players deserve credit for taking these little steps back towards them under difficult conditions.

"The hope is that some of these supporters come back with slightly more optimism than they would have done going away with several home defeats. It's a very small step but it's a start, (we have) got to build something."
 

Karl Darlow made the one save he needed to against his first club, but few others can look in the mirror and claim they gave it everything. So much for leaving everything on the pitch.  

Cisse's abysmal showing was thankfully ended after two shockingly careless flicks at the start of the second half and at least Aleksandar Mitrovic came on and tried. But of the Serb's three efforts at goal, none were on target and that tells its own tale as to why this season will end in relegation.

Ayoze Perez replaced Cheick Tiote who had done a reasonable job in midfield but apart from winning a few corners, his introduction was like everything else in this campaign - too little, too late.

Colback should have buried a left-footed shot two minutes after the break but fired over and then just after the hour Mitrovic should have fired hard and low but tried a lob that cleared the crossbar.

Mitrovic twice headed wide and Wijnaldum's effort in added time was blocked by Kieran Clark before Townsend was given the chance to reprise his Palace free-kick from last week. From an almost identical position his effort was hit well and on-target but never looked like beating 'keeper Bunn.

And with that, any chance of three points evaporated leaving gloating home fans to cheer the nowts apiece that prevented them officially becoming the worst Aston Villa side in their 142 year history.

Official confirmation of our own demotion is still to arrive, but even if that doesn't happen this coming Wednesday night, the prospect of United beating Spurs on Sunday seems increasingly remote, given that the Cockerels need at least a point to confirm a runner's up spot ahead of their rivals Arsenal.

Failing to beat the worst team in our league twice* is probably worthy of relegation on its own, but rank carelessness on many other occasions contributed to our fall from grace - the only consistency we've demonstrated. (* Derby's demotion with just 11 points in 2008 included four taken off us).

Shame on everyone responsible for not doing enough to prevent it happening, after having had ample warning last season and the season before.   

It's doubtful whether anyone in a position of power on Barrack Road will actually do the decent thing but one person above all others should resign - the one who courted, chased and appointed Steve McClaren. Bringing him in - and dithering when it was glaringly obvious he needed to be removed - counts as gross misconduct of the highest order. 

The system that brought the likes of Florian Thauvin, Emmanuel Riviere, Siem De Jong, Facundo Ferrerya, Henri Saivet and Seydou Doumbia arrive but play no part whatsoever also has to be challenged - and if that means the comedian's dad is pensioned off, then so be it. 

One win or two draws for big Sham's mob from their last two games will be enough to confirm our demise along with Norwich City, beaten at home to Manchester United and odds-on to join Villa.

The rail journey back to Tyneside afforded time to brood on our likely fate and future but the view from the window hardly improved the mood though, as Birmingham, Burton, Derby, Sheffield and Rotherham all slipped past.

That we'll be playing Championship football at venues of that ilk next season is a foregone conclusion: who will be at the helm rather less clear cut. Our successful promotion at the first attempt in 2010 followed a summer of confusion that left Chris Hughton to take charge by default. 

If nothing else, the Rafa situation needs resolving quickly so that reconstruction can begin - the consequences of inaction this season are abundantly clear. 

The final away game of Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer's time in charge came on this ground. And try though we might, we cannot make a credible case for Benitez to stick around here following relegation. Whoever ends up replacing him has a thankless task though - both on and off the field. 

Biffa