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By Jonathan Stevenson
2205: Well that's that for another (prolonged) weekend of Premier League action. Congrats to Newcastle and Joe Kinnear for that stirring second-half display, a fully-deserved three points. I trust you'll be back tomorrow for the Champions League, Fletch is in the chair and he'll have Danny the Stat alongside him for good measure. I'll see you soon. Very soon. Tarra.
2200: Like a Premier League referee, you lot make some strange decisions sometimes. Ashley Young is still leading Player Rater, though surely, surely not for long? Oba Martins is on his tail... Rate the players
2158: "Joe Kinnear is rapidly turning into the Allen Stanford of Geordieland - roll on the good times!" Sailen, London, via text on 81111
2157: "What Joe 'the interim coach' has done with Newcastle United is absolutely marvellous. From 20th to 14th. Remarkable." b_musah on 606 Join the debate on 606
2156: "Newcastle weathered the storm, I don't know how Villa didn't take the lead in the first half. But they were much the better team after the break and fully deserved their win. Joe Kinnear is building a decent side." BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Chris Waddle
2154: Full-time Newcastle 2-0 Aston Villa
2152: Steve Sidwell screws a right-foot shot miles wide from 30 yards. They have been abject since going 1-0 down. Michael Owen comes on for the final few seconds.
2150: "I wonder if there's a swear box in the Newcastle dressing room? It'd be good news for the Christmas party if there was..." BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Chris Waddle
2149: "(See 2135) Fair play? Don't praise him for that Stevo, if that had been any other player in the Premier League it wouldn't have been worth mentioning." Rich, Worcester, via text on 81111
It wasn't any other player, though, it was Joey Barton.
2148: Obafemi Martins is given a standing ovation as he is taken off and Claudio Cacapa comes on.
2147: "If someone had told me last Saturday morning that three of the top five teams would lose to Stoke, Spurs and Newcastle this week I'd have called them nutters. I wonder what odds an accumulator on these results would have been?" LEGIN99M on 606 Join the debate on 606
2145: Nigel Reo-Coker, who should be a little bit embarrassed by his 'attempt' to challenge Jones Gutierrez just then, is hauled off and Marlon Harewood comes in.
2142: GOAL Newcastle 2-0 Aston Villa Wow. They are just like a different team. Jonas Gutierrez turns on the accelerator down the left and goes past Nigel Reo-Coker as if he is not there, gets to the byeline and pulls the ball back across goal for that man Obafemi Martins to slot into an empty net.
2141: Ten minutes to go plus stoppages.
2139: "Every time Villa are billed as the club to break into the top four they go on and lose. Shocking. Arsenal must be thanking their lucky stars." Tim, in Oxford, via text on 81111
2137: Steve Sidwell is the latest in the book for an over-the-top tackle on Obafemi Martins. That one's fair.
2135: Fair play to Joey Barton, he goes in to separate Martin Laursen and Jonas Gutierrez after the Villa player seems to lead with his arm in another aerial challenge with Shola Ameobi. Ameobi needs some treatment.
2134: "(See 2102) In response to your comment about the Boro fan missing the derby if Newcastle go down... what derby are you talking about? Only Middlesbrough fans and the media think it's a derby. Sunderland is our derby and we are theirs. Middlesbrough aren't even thought about." Shaun, Durham, via text on 81111
2132: Nicky Shorey is taken off by a no doubt displeased Martin O'Neill, with midfielder Steve Sidwell coming on.
2131: Shola Ameobi is booked after a tussle with Martin Laursen. Looks a touch harsh, in fairness.
2129: Suddenly, Oba Martins is on fire. He does Luke Young twice and then it looks like he is brought down on the edge of the box by Carlos Cuellar, but the ref gives nothing. What on earth did big Joe say to his boys at half-time? They've been sensational since.
2127: Nicky Butt's curling crackerjack looks to be flying right towards the top corner but it clips the outside of the post and Villa breathe an enormous sigh of relief.
2126: Damien Duff wins a free-kick in a very, very dangerous position 23 yards out after a foul from Luke Young...
2125: "In response to the voting comment (see 2115) it was Marcus Hanhemann not Brad Friedel on 5 Live." Anonymous via text on 81111
Oh no, not another great US election controversy...
2120: GOAL Newcastle 1-0 Aston Villa What did I say about the link-up between Joey Barton and Obafemi Martins??Barton plays the ball in for the Nigerian, he turns smartly on the edge of the Villa area and arrows a shot into the bottom corner past a despairing Brad Friedel. The keeper might wonder if he could have done better there, actually.
2119: "There's a bit of an edge to the game now, you wonder what colour the next card will be." BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Chris Waddle
2117: Obafemi Martins is booked for one of the worst crimes a footballer can commit - waving an imaginary yellow card at the ref to get an opposing player cautioned. Carlos Cuellar did foul him, but it wasn't a yellow, get on with it Oba.
2115: "Only just got online, but noticed earlier comment about whether Friedel had voted. He said on Radio 5 that he had voted for McCain already (but that his wife had voted Obama). Just like to be of use." Armi89 on 606 Join the debate on 606
2113: Joey Barton is booked for showing his studs in a challenge with Luke Young. Don't get me wrong it's not reckless, it's not going to hurt anyone, but it's utterly needless and just shows how much growing up he still has to do.
2113: Villa's link-up is much better, with Ashley Young and John Carew certainly singing from the same hymn sheet. Young wins a corner, but it comes to nothing.
2112: "See 2102) Stevo, as a reply to the Boro fan, and as a fellow Forest fan, Newcastle in the Championship has a horrible ring to it. Chambers against Duff, oh God!" Daniel, Nottm, via text on 81111
Yeah, if we're still in it mate! (Also Chambers isn't a right-back and he shouldn't play there ever, but don't get me started).
2110: Joey Barton gives the ball away again. His link-up with Obafemi Martins just has not worked today, they're not on the same wavelength at all. Meanwhile, Ashley Young gets some treatment for an accidental blow to his head.
2107: I'm reliably informed that Villa keeper Brad Friedel is from Ohio, a battleground state in the US election, which seems to have taken over all of our lives. I wonder if the former Blackburn custodian's cross could be the decisive factor in perhaps the most important vote in recent history? US rivals launch final vote push
2105: Back under way at Newcastle. Hopefully, this'll be a bit better than the first 45 minutes.
2102: "I am praying Villa do these over tonight, Newcastle in the Championship has a very sweet ring to it." A very loyal Boro fan, via text on 81111
Surely you'd miss the derby though?
2100: "I was in a taxi in Newcastle the other day and the driver was telling me how, because of Dennis Wise, he ripped up his season ticket and sent it back, which they replied to by sending him a new one. Seemed like rubbing salt in the wound a bit." george_the_second on 606 Join the debate on 606
2056: With Danny the Stat still refusing to do an honest day's work (don't worry Champ Lge fans, he's in tomorrow), here's some Player Rater chat: Ashley Young is closing in on a sensational 8 with his half-time mark of 7.70, with Newcastle's Damien Duff not far behind. Gabby Agbonlahor is languishing. The beauty, as always, is that you can change it. Rate the players
2053: "Both teams are committed, there's lots of honesty and endeavour. But Villa are the better team and they could have been 2-0 up. I think we'll see Michael Owen before long and you can see him getting the headlines the longer it stays like this." BBC Radio 5 Live's Chris Waddle
2049: Half-time Newcastle 0-0 Aston Villa
2046: "I can see a sending off or a penalty tonight, purely as Gutierrez is flopping about and because Bennett is in charge." Mark, via text on 81111
2043: Fractions, that's all. Habib Beye collects a Damien Duff pass and swings over a cross and defender Steven Taylor, who started the move, so nearly gets on the end of it in front of goal. Since when did Newcastle play Total Football??
Kind of, yeah, see I'm doing these live updates on Newcastle v Aston Villa for the BBC Sport website.
2040: Luke Young is harshly shown a yellow card by referee Steve Bennett for no more than a routine foul.
2038: Shay Given's head comes to Newcastle's rescue after Gabriel Agbonlahor plays a pass to Ashley Young in the area and he turns and shoots in an instant, his effort cannoning against the keeper's temple.
2038: Joey Barton's having a funny evening. He's been involved in a couple of lively challenges, he's seen lots of the ball but given it away a lot, too. He's all-action, that's for sure.
2034: Newcastle fans love Obafemi Martins and it's easy to see why. Somehow he bundles his way past Martin Laursen on the right flank and he then speeds towards the Villa box, taking on and beating Nicky Shorey before lashing a shot excitedly wide.
2032: "With Arsenal's recent performances I'd give Villa a chance to challenge them for that top-four place. PS 3-0 to Villa." King Arthur, via text on 81111
2030: Fabio Capello's number two, Franco Baldini, is in the stand at Newcastle, along with the legendary figure of Stuart Pearce, England Under-21 coach.
2029: Ashley Young's cross is deflected to James Milner, who blazes over much to the delight of the home fans. Young, BBC Radio 5 Live inform me, was a class-mate of a certain Lewis Hamilton. Wonder what became of him...
2028: "Duff was awesome at Chelsea and Blackburn and at times at Newcastle. He has never recovered properly since he got that awful hamstring injury at Chelsea which lost some of his speed and that was so critical to him in the past." daveythepredictor on 606 Join the debate on 606
2025: Joey Barton tests Brad Friedel with a fierce 25-yard shot that the American does well to hold. I wonder if Friedel will be voting/has voted for the next president?
2024: Oh what a chance for Gabby Agbonlahor. James Milner finds space down the right and crosses for the young striker eight yards out but he can only kick air and the chance goes begging. Remarkable miss. Gareth Barry is then booked for a late challenge.
2023: James Milner feeds Gabriel Agbonlahor down the Villa right, but Fabricio Coloccini deals well with his pace and gets across superbly to clear.
2020: Terrible appeal for a penalty that one, Damien Duff. He falls in the area with Carlos Cuellar near him, but the Newcastle winger actually tripped himself up. Maybe he didn't realise.
2019: "Strange player, Damien Duff. Fantastic at Blackburn, but he just doesn't seem the same player, I'm not sure why. He was a bit like Ryan Giggs at Blackburn, but he's lost that change of speed." BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Chris Waddle
2017: "Nice to see Ameobi playing instead of Owen, good choice! I mean Ameobi is a world-class striker who's nearly the top scorer of all time for England, oh sorry that's Owen." RHS606 on 606 Join the debate on 606
2014: Obafemi Martins nicks the ball past Carlos Cuellar after Shola Ameobi's flick-on, but he shoots from 25 yards instead of taking the ball on and it flies a few yards over.
2013: Gorgeous control from big John Carew there, the giant striker taking down a long pass with effortless ease and winning a corner from which Martin Laursen leaps highest to head against a post.
2012: "Aston Villa are a top eight club, not a top four club. The top four are miles ahead of the pack in terms of quality, however Villa may finish fifth." David, Vallourec Plant, Bellshill, via text on 81111
2011: Habib Beye is booked, must have been for dissent, after Jose Enrique was adjudged to have pulled down Gabriel Agbonlahor.
2010: Obafemi Martins rifles in a shot from 30 yards that takes a deflection and goes out for a corner.
2007: Newcastle have started sloppily, they keep giving the ball away. Joey Barton has been culpable so far, as has Damien Duff.
2005: Villa have started brightly here. Ashley Young is sent clear down the left but his cross is cleared, before James Milner tries to get away down the right. The former Newcastle winger is booed, incidentally.
2003: We are under way at St James' Park.
2001: "Hey Stevo, I am cheering for Villa tonight! Great team, great manager and more importantly my best mate is a Geordie and is at the game." Dan, Chelsea fan, via text on 81111
1959: Aston Villa, by the way, have used fewer players (17) in the Premier League than any other club so far this season. And can Brad Friedel, Nigel Reo-Coker and Ashley Young keep up their records of playing every minute of every league game this term?
1957: "I can see Newcastle being troubled by Villa's pace tonight. It'll be comfortable for Villa with Young and Agbonlahor fighting each other for Carew's knock-downs. Trouble. Big, speedy, trouble." Zippy, George and Bungle on 606 Join the debate on 606
1955: On current form I'm not sure this is worth doing (has it ever?), but here goes anyway. Stevo's Predo is as follows: Newcastle 2-2 Aston Villa.
1952: Joe Kinnear becomes the third Newcastle manager to send out a team against Aston Villa in as many meetings. It was Sam Allardyce and Kevin Keegan last season, will there be another one for the return game on the last day of the season in May?
1949: "Stevo, if Newcastle win tonight, you can have some of the chicken balti I've just cooked up, and a few cheekies to wash it down." Andy, Milton Keynes, via text on 81111
1945: On BBC Radio 5 Live, John Motson is talking about some terrible refereeing decisions in a Championship game yesterday. Maybe he's suggesting young Lewis McGugan shouldn't have been sent off...
1943: "Why is there a game on Monday? Why can't they just play on the weekend?" ben foster's jersey on 606 Join the debate on 606
Why can't some people just be happy there's always football on? Why? Why??
1940:Newcastle interim (over-used word this season already?) boss Joe Kinnear makes one change after their 2-1 win at home to West Brom, with Nicky Butt replacing Danny Guthrie. Michael Owen makes it as far as the bench. Aston Villa bring striker John Carew in for the injured Stiliyan Petrov.
1937: NEWCASTLE v ASTON VILLA LINE-UPS Newcastle: Given, Beye, Coloccini, Taylor, Jose Enrique, Gutierrez, Barton, Butt, Duff, Martins, Ameobi. Subs: Harper, Guthrie, Owen, Bassong, Cacapa, N'Zogbia, Geremi. Aston Villa: Friedel, Luke Young, Cuellar, Laursen, Shorey, Milner, Reo-Coker, Barry, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor, Carew. Subs: Guzan, Harewood, Davies, Knight, Salifou, Sidwell, Gardner. Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent).
1934: If you need an excuse to stop doing homework, or you're just bored of this Monday evening already, then you've come to the right place. The Premier League stops for no man, and it continues its march towards world domination with a potential cracker at St James' Park this evening. Get your texts flying in on 81111 and join the debate on 606. Do it do it do it. You don't want me getting lonely now, do you? Join the debate on 606
1930: Hello there. I don't believe we've had the pleasure on a Monday before. Isn't football great at filling in those otherwise tedious little gaps in your life? Welcome, to Newcastle v Aston Villa.
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