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Back in Tyne: Five fantastic victories against Villa

Ahead of Newcastle United's Premier League trip to Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3pm BST), we take a look at some of the Magpies' best victories at Villa Park...

C'est magnifique! (2013/2014)

Newcastle United registered back-to-back Premier League victories following a 2-1 victory at Villa Park, courtesy of goals from French pair Hatem Ben Arfa and Yoan Gouffran.

Ben Arfa, who had previously netted a late winner in a 1-0 home triumph against Fulham, continued his bright form in front of goal by opening the scoring after impressive individual play from on-loan striker Loïc Rémy, making his first start for the Magpies.

Villa forward Christian Benteke brought the home side level with a powerful header from Ashley Westwood's corner before Gouffran restored Newcastle's lead after Brad Guzan parried Ben Arfa's strike into the path of the substitute, who reacted quickest to slot home.

Alan Pardew's side went on to secure a top half finish, ending their 2013/14 campaign in tenth place on 49 points.

 

Cabaye's cracker (2012/2013)

United ended a run of five Premier League games without a win as strikes from Papiss Cissé and Yohan Cabaye sealed a valuable 2-1 victory in January 2013.

Two of Alan Pardew's five French signings in January, Yoan Gouffran and Moussa Sissoko, began the game for Pardew's side and the latter made an instant impact for his new side, setting up Cissé who beat Guzan with a fine finish.

After former Magpie Charles N'Zogbia, struck the crossbar for Villa, Cabaye doubled the visitors' lead with a stunning half volley before half-time which flew into the top corner.

Despite Villa halving the deficit through Benteke's penalty after the restart, United held on for three significant points to move away from the relegation zone.

 

Shay the hero for ten-man Newcastle (2005/2006) 

Newcastle recorded successive league victories with a narrow 2-1 victory against Villa, with Glenn Roeder beginning his stint as caretaker boss in positive fashion.

An early goal from Shola Ameobi gave Roeder's side the dream start after the forward slid the ball past former Sunderland goalkeeper Thomas Sørensen before United were pegged back through Luke Moore's first-half equaliser.

However, Charles N'Zogbia restored United's advantage towards the half-hour mark after hitting the target when Nolberto Solano's shot was originally saved by Sørensen. 

In the second half, Celestine Babayaro conceded a penalty and was sent off in the process for a foul on Villa's Milan Baroš but Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given, a future Villa shot-stopper, brilliantly kept out the Czech striker's resulting spot-kick before United held on to preserve maximum points.

 

Shearer's late winner (2002/2003)

Alan Shearer's header eight minutes from time gave Newcastle United a 1-0 victory at Villa Park as Sir Bobby Robson celebrated a recent knighthood with a second Premiership away win of the season.

Prior to the meeting with the Villans, Newcastle had gained qualification for the second stage of the Champions League in dramatic style against Dutch outfit Feyenoord and enjoyed more late drama in the West Midlands.

After Villa forward Juan Pablo Angel struck the bar, Shearer made the hosts pay by scoring his third goal in as many Premiership matches, out jumping Ulises de la Cruz and directing his header past goalkeeper Peter Enckelman.

 

Lee and Cole continue purple patches for high-flying Magpies (1994/95)

Kevin Keegan's side continued their excellent start in the Premiership with a 2-0 victory against Villa, with late finishes from Rob Lee and Andy Cole maintaining United's unbeaten run.

Newcastle headed to Birmingham full of confidence after registering six victories and one draw in their opening seven league matches, scoring an eye-catching total of 23 goals.

Rob Lee and Andy Cole both took their goalscoring tally to seven for the term as the midfielder broke the deadlock in the 66th minute following Ruel Fox's assist before Cole got in on the act to double Newcastle's lead.

The Magpies' 11-game unbeaten run at the start of the 1994/95 campaign helped towards a sixth-place finish but saw United narrowly miss out on UEFA Cup qualification by a single point.

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