NEWCASTLE recorded their second successive win under caretaker boss Glenn Roeder yesterday, displaying a fighting spirit that was too often lacking under previous boss Graeme Souness to secure all three points despite being dominated for long periods at Villa Park.

Shola Ameobi opened the scoring after only 80 seconds following good play by Newcastle captain Alan Shearer only for Villa to level through Luke Moore's fifth goal in the last three matches less than 15 minutes later.

Newcastle regained the lead after half an hour with Charles N'Zogbia's fifth goal of the campaign. Shearer was again the creator with another inch-perfect ball into the path of Solano whose powerful shot was beaten out by Sorensen. The Villa defence seemed slow to react to the rebound and N'Zogbia needed no second invitation to turn the ball into the corner of the net.

Newcastle were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half when Celestine Babayaro was deemed to be the last man when he brought down substitute Milan Baros in the box. Baros stepped up to take the penalty but his low shot straight down the middle of the goal was read by Shay Given who saved with his feet. And 10man Newcastle hung on bravely as Aston Villa's poor home form continued.