Newcastle United against Aston Villa

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Nolan makes it five! Ryan Taylor's corner drops and Nolan hooks it home from two yards. Their perfect day is complete!

Ameobi gets into the area but blazes over, with the help of a deflection.

Dunne gets up from Young's delivery but can only glance the ball wide.

Coloccini sticks close to Heskey and concedes a corner. Can Newcastle preserve their clean sheet?

Heskey holds the ball up and feeds Ireland but he blazes over the bar from 20 yards out.

Xisco blocks a free kick and streaks clear but looks utterly confused when he gets within range of goal and passes meekly to Petrov.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Gutierrez makes way for Xisco. Remember him?

Ryan Taylor goes for the far corner and isn't far away. Friedel didn't move.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Reo-Coker hauls down Gutierrez right on the edge of the box and gets a yellow. It's on the angle of the 18-yard area.

Petrov nods the corner clear and Villa are three on three but Young's pass is poor and Harper claims.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Changes for Newcastle. Alan Smith and Wayne Routledge make way for Shola Ameobi and Wayne Routledge.

Very nearly a hat-trick for Carroll! A great cross from Routledge to the back post, Nolan touches off and Friedel blocks Carroll's volley from four yards. Corner.

A brief stoppage as Warnock gets treatment. He's ok to continue.

Ireland gets a brief sniff of goal but Perch does well to stick to his task and block the shot.

The Toon Army let out a chorus of "Geordie boys, taking the p***."

Clark brings down Routledge, who had clipped the ball past him. Should have been a card.

This could be the end of those shouts for Kevin MacDonald to get the Villa job full time. They've been abject this second half.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Carroll makes it four! Williamson does well with a bouncing ball on the edge of the box and Carroll smashes in on the volley from 15 yards.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Carew off and Reo-Coker on.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Smith gets a ridiculous yellow card for a tiny clip of Heskey's boot. His reputation went before him there.

Perch crosses well but Clark gets a head on it. Another Villa change coming.

Routledge is put clean through with Luke Young on his heels - he still gets a shot off though and Friedel saves with his legs.

Enrique gets in sharply on Heskey there. Newcastle's only problem from this point in is conmplacency.

Villa struggling to get possession in the second half. Heskey appears to have gone wide right for some reason.

Nolan releases Carroll and he should have slipped Routledge away but the pass is a little short. He still wins the corner.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Here comes Emile Heskey, for Albrighton. Looks like 4-4-2.

Enrique runs on to Gutierrez's pass but fires a cross right into Friedel's arms.

Smith clears Downing's set piece at the near post.

Enrique is a bit too casual and gives Albrighton a chance to break. Gutierrez gets back but concedes a free kick.

Newcastle are utterly dominiant here and are stroking it around like Manchester United did to them on Monday. Villa's spirit is broken at the moment.

Nolan is flagged offside as Smith wins a header and though the flag is up Carroll lashes the ball into the net on the volley. Tidy finish, even though it amounted to nowt.

Coloccini gets a foot in on Carew.

Williamson does very well to win a goal kick off Ashley Young, who is getting very frustrated.

A lovely combination between Enrique and Gutierrez nearly releases Carroll before the Argentine's cross is cleared by Clark.

A very bright start for Newcastle, who string passes together for fun before Nolan nearly feeds Carroll inside the area.

We begin again...

<b>HALF TIME</b> What a 45 minutes for Newcastle. They've managed to look ropey at the back but lead 3-0! You feel this game is far from over though...

Williamson heads clear and Barton completes the clerance. Two minutes added.

Now Villa win a free kick by the touchline. Decent chance for a sight on goal with their height.

Routledge and Perch work some nice space but again, the winger squanders possession on the edge of Villa's box. Must do better,

Now Gutierrez gets in tight on Albrighton. Newcastle must get through to the break without conceding.

Great defensive work from Enrique as Albrighton tried to muscle into the penalty area.

Barton swings in the ball deep to Carroll but both he and Dunne miss it.

Another niggly foul from Stephen Ireland hands Newcastle a free kick. You know what comes next.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Perch clatters into the back of Warnock as he went for a Carroll pass. It looked nasty, but was a harsh booking.

The crowd roar as Gutierrez wins a free kick. He was penalised for a very soft foul up the field a second ago.

It may be 3-0 but Villa are by noe means out of this. Both sides look like this is the first day of their defensive training.

Nolan breaks the offside trap ans SMith bursts in support and is clipped as he got into position, Nolan then cuts inside and shoots but Friedel saves and no pen is given.

What an incredible start for Newcastle! Ropey at the back but not at all bad going forward.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Carroll makes it 3-0! From the corner, Williamson nods back, Dunne fluffs his clearance and Carroll smashes home from seven yards.

Then as Newcastle break, Routledge wins a corner.

A great chance for Villa to respond as Young drags a ball across goal and Perch makes a vital block at the back post.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Nolan! Great cross from Enrique, Carroll nods back to Nolan and though his first effort is saved, he nods in from the rebound. Toon army in dreamland!

Good football from Newcastle as Carroll knocks down for Nolan but his shot is blocked. Then Routledge again, wastes good possession.

Routledge has seen plenty of the ball but his delivery hasn't been great. Blistering pace on the lad though.

Friedel fluffs his punch but a free kick is awarded.

A brilliant run from Enrique down the left is curtailed by Dunne's clearance. Corner.

Barton wastes the free kick as Carroll went back post. The crowd are quiet, and a bit edgy after all this Villa domination.

Carroll wins another header but Nolan went the other way. Then SMith charges in and regains possession before Ireland fouls him.

Routledge and then Gutierrez waste great opportunities in the final third before Young springs clear, but is flagged offside. He was on, clearly.

Nolan dawdles in possession and then gives away a free kick. Old and slow.

Carroll brings the ball down and feeds Nolan, but his flick looking for Routledge is cut out by Clark.

Young feeds Downing inside and he has a pop but drags it wide. Newcastle need to hold firm here.

Newcastle under the cosh now and Perch finds Harper after a through ball but he shanks another clearance. He's having a mare.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Barton goes in with a dangerously high boot and gets a deserved booking. Stupid yellow card. Imagine my surprise.

Another ball goes through the high line of Newcastle's defence but Enrique plays it back to Harper. It's only a matter of time before Villa score at this rate.

Downing looks over the top for Carew again and again he has space, Coloccini and Williamson do well.

Routledge spurns a good chance to cross.

Coloccini wins a header against Young but the Villa man claims a forearm. Nowt doing with the ref.

Williamson was holding Carew's shirt when the corner came in. Dangerous tactic.

Villa go down the other end and win a corner, Newcastle playing a worrying high line.

A phenomenal strike from the mustachioed Barton, Friedel was beaten all ends up by the power and swerve on the ball.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Barton with a rocket! He's absolutely lashed that into the top corner from 25 yards!

Young feeds Carew over the top and he is shackled by Williamson before Coloccini tidies up. Home side living dangerously at the back.

A big lift for Newcastle and a lesson for Harper. Barton tries to find Nolan but the big man has no pace.

Carew misses! He's blazed it over the bar and into the stands! Harper and Newcastle get out of jail.

<b>VILLA PENALTY</b> Ireland's ball finds Young into the area, Harper rushes out and clips him and Villa have a spot kick.

Gutierrez comes inside and turns a ball into Nolan but it is overhit. Disappointing.

Barton swings in a ball to the area but Carroll's header is high and wide. You sense set pieces are going to be very important for Newcastle this season...

Stephen Ireland is sporting the number nine shirt for Villa but hasn't been too involved yet. Crew has half a chance and then Albrighton spins in a ball to the area but Harper claims.

Carroll wins another flick on and Nolan wins a throw in..

A decent start from the home side, but Villa already looking smooth in possession..

Barton tries to release Routledge but the ball is overhit. The crowd are bang up for this...

We're off....

The sun is out at St James' and the pitch looks magnificent. The stands are bulging with black-and-white shirts and the air of anticipation is palpable. Can the Toon Army get points on the board, or will Villa's superior class tell?

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton fielded the same 11 which started the 3-0 defeat at Manchester United on Monday, but there was a place on the bench for striker Peter Lovenkrands after a groin injury.

Caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald has handed Stephen Ireland his Aston Villa debut on his 24th birthday.

The Toon Army let out a chorus of "Geordie boys, taking the p***."

Clark brings down Routledge, who had clipped the ball past him. Should have been a card.

This could be the end of those shouts for Kevin MacDonald to get the Villa job full time. They've been abject this second half.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Carroll makes it four! Williamson does well with a bouncing ball on the edge of the box and Carroll smashes in on the volley from 15 yards.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Carew off and Reo-Coker on.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Smith gets a ridiculous yellow card for a tiny clip of Heskey's boot. His reputation went before him there.

Perch crosses well but Clark gets a head on it. Another Villa change coming.

Routledge is put clean through with Luke Young on his heels - he still gets a shot off though and Friedel saves with his legs.

Enrique gets in sharply on Heskey there. Newcastle's only problem from this point in is conmplacency.

Villa struggling to get possession in the second half. Heskey appears to have gone wide right for some reason.

Nolan releases Carroll and he should have slipped Routledge away but the pass is a little short. He still wins the corner.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Here comes Emile Heskey, for Albrighton. Looks like 4-4-2.

Enrique runs on to Gutierrez's pass but fires a cross right into Friedel's arms.

Smith clears Downing's set piece at the near post.

Enrique is a bit too casual and gives Albrighton a chance to break. Gutierrez gets back but concedes a free kick.

Newcastle are utterly dominiant here and are stroking it around like Manchester United did to them on Monday. Villa's spirit is broken at the moment.

Nolan is flagged offside as Smith wins a header and though the flag is up Carroll lashes the ball into the net on the volley. Tidy finish, even though it amounted to nowt.

Coloccini gets a foot in on Carew.

Williamson does very well to win a goal kick off Ashley Young, who is getting very frustrated.

A lovely combination between Enrique and Gutierrez nearly releases Carroll before the Argentine's cross is cleared by Clark.

A very bright start for Newcastle, who string passes together for fun before Nolan nearly feeds Carroll inside the area.

We begin again...

<b>HALF TIME</b> What a 45 minutes for Newcastle. They've managed to look ropey at the back but lead 3-0! You feel this game is far from over though...

Williamson heads clear and Barton completes the clerance. Two minutes added.

Now Villa win a free kick by the touchline. Decent chance for a sight on goal with their height.

Routledge and Perch work some nice space but again, the winger squanders possession on the edge of Villa's box. Must do better,

Now Gutierrez gets in tight on Albrighton. Newcastle must get through to the break without conceding.

Great defensive work from Enrique as Albrighton tried to muscle into the penalty area.

Barton swings in the ball deep to Carroll but both he and Dunne miss it.

Another niggly foul from Stephen Ireland hands Newcastle a free kick. You know what comes next.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Perch clatters into the back of Warnock as he went for a Carroll pass. It looked nasty, but was a harsh booking.

The crowd roar as Gutierrez wins a free kick. He was penalised for a very soft foul up the field a second ago.

It may be 3-0 but Villa are by noe means out of this. Both sides look like this is the first day of their defensive training.

Nolan breaks the offside trap ans SMith bursts in support and is clipped as he got into position, Nolan then cuts inside and shoots but Friedel saves and no pen is given.

What an incredible start for Newcastle! Ropey at the back but not at all bad going forward.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Carroll makes it 3-0! From the corner, Williamson nods back, Dunne fluffs his clearance and Carroll smashes home from seven yards.

Then as Newcastle break, Routledge wins a corner.

A great chance for Villa to respond as Young drags a ball across goal and Perch makes a vital block at the back post.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Nolan! Great cross from Enrique, Carroll nods back to Nolan and though his first effort is saved, he nods in from the rebound. Toon army in dreamland!

Good football from Newcastle as Carroll knocks down for Nolan but his shot is blocked. Then Routledge again, wastes good possession.

Routledge has seen plenty of the ball but his delivery hasn't been great. Blistering pace on the lad though.

Friedel fluffs his punch but a free kick is awarded.

A brilliant run from Enrique down the left is curtailed by Dunne's clearance. Corner.

Barton wastes the free kick as Carroll went back post. The crowd are quiet, and a bit edgy after all this Villa domination.

Carroll wins another header but Nolan went the other way. Then SMith charges in and regains possession before Ireland fouls him.

Routledge and then Gutierrez waste great opportunities in the final third before Young springs clear, but is flagged offside. He was on, clearly.

Nolan dawdles in possession and then gives away a free kick. Old and slow.

Carroll brings the ball down and feeds Nolan, but his flick looking for Routledge is cut out by Clark.

Young feeds Downing inside and he has a pop but drags it wide. Newcastle need to hold firm here.

Newcastle under the cosh now and Perch finds Harper after a through ball but he shanks another clearance. He's having a mare.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Barton goes in with a dangerously high boot and gets a deserved booking. Stupid yellow card. Imagine my surprise.

Another ball goes through the high line of Newcastle's defence but Enrique plays it back to Harper. It's only a matter of time before Villa score at this rate.

Downing looks over the top for Carew again and again he has space, Coloccini and Williamson do well.

Routledge spurns a good chance to cross.

Coloccini wins a header against Young but the Villa man claims a forearm. Nowt doing with the ref.

Williamson was holding Carew's shirt when the corner came in. Dangerous tactic.

Villa go down the other end and win a corner, Newcastle playing a worrying high line.

A phenomenal strike from the mustachioed Barton, Friedel was beaten all ends up by the power and swerve on the ball.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Barton with a rocket! He's absolutely lashed that into the top corner from 25 yards!

Young feeds Carew over the top and he is shackled by Williamson before Coloccini tidies up. Home side living dangerously at the back.

A big lift for Newcastle and a lesson for Harper. Barton tries to find Nolan but the big man has no pace.

Carew misses! He's blazed it over the bar and into the stands! Harper and Newcastle get out of jail.

<b>VILLA PENALTY</b> Ireland's ball finds Young into the area, Harper rushes out and clips him and Villa have a spot kick.

Gutierrez comes inside and turns a ball into Nolan but it is overhit. Disappointing.

Barton swings in a ball to the area but Carroll's header is high and wide. You sense set pieces are going to be very important for Newcastle this season...

Stephen Ireland is sporting the number nine shirt for Villa but hasn't been too involved yet. Crew has half a chance and then Albrighton spins in a ball to the area but Harper claims.

Carroll wins another flick on and Nolan wins a throw in..

A decent start from the home side, but Villa already looking smooth in possession..

Barton tries to release Routledge but the ball is overhit. The crowd are bang up for this...

We're off....

The sun is out at St James' and the pitch looks magnificent. The stands are bulging with black-and-white shirts and the air of anticipation is palpable. Can the Toon Army get points on the board, or will Villa's superior class tell?

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton fielded the same 11 which started the 3-0 defeat at Manchester United on Monday, but there was a place on the bench for striker Peter Lovenkrands after a groin injury.

Caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald has handed Stephen Ireland his Aston Villa debut on his 24th birthday.