A Kieran Trippier free-kick midway through the first-half was enough to send Aston Villa back to the West Midlands with defeat on Sunday afternoon.
Ollie Watkins had a goal disallowed for offside on the hour mark but a point would have been the most Steven Gerrard’s men deserved after a dismal display on Tyneside.
The claret & blue stay stuck in the bottom half of the Premier League on 27 points, Newcastle pull further clear of the bottom three on 21.
Here’s our Aston Villa player ratings from the contest.
Newcastle United (4-3-3): Dubravka; Trippier (48’ Krafth), Schar, Burn, Manquillo (45’ Dummett); Willock (90’ Guimaraes), Shelvey, Joelinton; Fraser, Wood, Saint-Maximin
Subs not used: Darlow, Longstaff, Almiron, Gayle, Murphy, De Bolle
Aston Villa (4-3-3): Martinez; Cash, Mings, Chambers, Digne; McGinn (85’ Chukwuemeka), Luiz, Ramsey; Buendia (72’ Bailey), Watkins (72’ Ings), Coutinho
Subs not used: Olsen, Iroegbunam, Hause, Young, Sanson, Chrisene
5. Lucas Digne - 4
His worst game since joining Villa. It shows exactly why Gerrard wanted to keep Targett at the club to allow for rotation after performances like this. | Getty Images
6. Jacob Ramsey - 5
Was part of a midfield three that just didn’t get going. He’s still very young though and if anyone’s allowed a pass in this side, it’s him. | Getty Images
7. Douglas Luiz - 5
Poor from the Brazilian today. Bullied in the middle of the park by those in black and white. | Getty Images
8. John Mcginn - 6
Received a harsh yellow card in the first-half and left him treading a fine line for the rest of the game. Went close to equalising towards the end of the first period. | AFP via Getty Images