Newcastle United are back in action after a hectic week of Premier League football, looking for yet another win under stand-in boss Jason Tindall.
Eddie Howe remains sidelined as he recovers from pneumonia, with no pressure for the head coach to make his return to the touchline. Instead, it will fall on Tindall, Graeme Jones, Simon Weatherstone and Stephen Purches to lead the Magpies into the near future.
On the pitch, United have avoided any fresh injuries despite a threadbare squad and a busy run of games. Anthony Gordon is raring to go from the sidelines, while Joe Willock returned from the bench in the midweek thrashing of Crystal Palace.
Stick with us right here throughout the afternoon as we bring you all the pre-match build up, team news, live coverage and post-game reaction.
The match verdict
Bruno Guimaraes says sorry to Newcastle United fans as Jason Tindall taunted at Villa Park
Where did it all go wrong?
Answers on a postcard...
#NUFC simply too poor all over the pitch / individually?
— Aaron Stokes (@AaronJStokes) April 19, 2025
Villa just too good on the day?
Thin squad + hectic period catching up with Newcastle?
Villa’s squad depth the key?
All of the above?
Absolute stinker of an afternoon unfortunately…
Player ratings
Warning! Some very low scores......
Full-time
It's an absolute hammering at the hands of Aston Villa to put a dent in their Champions League hopes.
They had the chance to move eight clear of Villa but instead it's now just two.
The winning run comes to an end.
Malen drives wide
Villa pushing for a fifth goal here in stoppage time.
Malen drags one wide.
Villa kill the game
And it's so poor from Newcastle - as it has been most of the second period.
Another substitute, this time Onana, rattles one beyond Pope from the edge of the area. Newcastle couldn't clear the initial danger and it's a great strike by the Belgian.
NUFC making three changes.
Burn turns it in
Great work by Villa substitute Ramsey, off the bench and causing problems. He drives down the left, sends a lovely ball across goal and Burn unfortunately sticks it in.
3-1.
Midfield area suffering today for Newcastle
They've had plenty of plaudits but today Newcastle have looked disjointed in the midfield area. They have struggled to play through Villa - operating with a 4-2-3-1 system - and Bruno has been suspect.
Newcastle punished
Villa have played some nice football and they've done it again. Murphy doesn't track Maatsen's run from left-back and the defender makes his way into the box, receives the ball from Watkins and fires beyond Pope.
Good overlap, good assist, good finish. Bad for Newcastle.
Isak denied
Easy save for Martinez as Isak sends a first-time shot towards goal.
Bruno went down seconds earlier, wanting a penalty, but it's not given.
He's then hacked down Tielemans in range - and he's booked.
Pope saves twice
Villa pushing, here, as Pope called into action twice in quick succession.
He stands tall to keep McGinn out from close range before Rogers lets fly from distance.
Both sets of fans agree on one thing
Villa fans chant: "You're not fit to referee" at Gillett. Newcastle fans join in.
Tindall thinking over a change or two
Tindall has told Anthony Gordon and Callum Wilson to warm up. Graeme Jones has made the switch from the stand to the dugout for the second period having observed the first half from the Press benches.
Off the line!
Tielemans denied as Tonali clears his effort off the line from a Villa corner. Great header. Replays show it was probably going wide.
Close....
Murphy and Isak almost combine
Great cross from Murphy but the ball bounces up in front of Isak and Villa manage to clear their lines.
End to end game this.
Cries of "Bruno, Bruno" from the away
The Brazilian almost just bundled his way through the penalty area but was outmuscled, eventually, by Mings.
Villa swiftly go up the other end and it's a perfect run in behind by McGinn, who burns Burn for pace and forces Pope to give away a corner. Newcastle deal with it.
Benches could be massive in second half
No chance of Newcastle United having the luxury of taking key players off this evening. This game looks like it has a couple of twists and turns to come in the second half.
Aston Villa have a stacked bench, with options across the park, but Newcastle also have the energy of Joe Willock and Anthony Gordon, which you suspect will be needed after the hour mark given how many games this XI have played of late.
That's half-time
We're all square at the interval as Newcastle weathered an early storm and bounced back through Schar.
It is anyone's guess as to who wins this one - all to play for in the second period!
First half ratings
Nick Pope 8
Without his saves Newcastle could have a mountain to climb.
Kieran Trippier 6
Has been caught out a few times as Villa pile pressure down his side.
Fabian Schar 7
Some worrying moments and a yellow card. But hauled the Magpies level. Another goal at Villa Park for his collection.
Dan Burn 6
Has been up against it.
Tino Livramento 7
Has been the outlet and Newcastle need to use him more.
Joelinton 6
Back in the book quickly after recent ban threat.
Bruno Guimaraes 6
Has been tested.
Sandro Tonali 6
Uncharacteristic mistake. But has fought back well.
Jacob Murphy 6
Being asked to tuck in when Newcastle are out of possession.
Harvey Barnes 7
Another assist to his name.
Alexander Isak 6
Battling away and waiting for something to drop.
Watkins wants a penalty
It's not given - and that's the correct decision! He'd gone down under a challenge from Schar but the NUFC man won the ball.
