This was swung in by Gareth Barry with Villa defender Martin Laursen heading straight at Steve Harper in the United goal.
United responded on 25 minutes when Charles N’Zogbia’s flag kick was cleared by John Carew but only fell as far as James Milner, whose vicious volley flew just over the top of the bar.
Eleven minutes later Newcastle poured forward again and Mark Viduka’s downward header forced another corner as the ball was frantically cleared.
Then seconds later a Milner cross from the right found David Rozehnal who blasted a shot at Villa keeper Carson with the England hopeful producing a brilliant save.
Villa began the second half in positive fashion and started to pose a few awkward questions in Newcastle’s defence.
On the hour mark Nigel Reo-Coker squeezed his way through into the final third before unloading a powerful low shot that Harper had to push round the post.
But on 63 minutes the majority of St James’ Park were on their feet as Michael Owen came off the bench to try to nick the game.
As the game went into injury time Brazilian new boy Cacapa replaced Geremi to make his debut for the black and whites.
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