Villa are going direct. Forward Scott Sinclair is replaced by the physical Rudy Gestede.

The striker has a header tipped over by Rob Elliot immediately.

In the mixer Villa...

BBC Newcastle
Former Newcastle United defender John Anderson on BBC Newcastle

"He's got to score, simple! If De Jong hits the target he scores, and puts the game beyond Villa because they don't have two goals in them."

Image source, Reuters

That is a howler, an absolute shocker of a miss.

Georginio Wijnaldum puts the ball on a plate, together with a knife and fork, for Siem de Jong with a delicious cross from the left.

But, just yards from goal and unmarked, De Jong somehow heads wide.

He makes way for Ayoze Perez.

How's this for a stat?

Aston Villa last came from behind at half time to win a Premier League game in September 2013 against Manchester City.

BBC Newcastle
Former Newcastle United defender John Anderson on BBC Newcastle

"Aston Villa have started this second half by playing with a little invention. Newcastle really do need that second goal. And conditions really aren't helping the flow of the game, of course..."

A half chance for the visitors.

A free-kick pumped into the penalty area, the ball is headed out to the edge, and Jordan Ayew volleys wildly over the bar.

Better from Villa.

Come on Tom, that's a little harsh! What about... oh... well, don't forget...

This is getting a little bit farcical. As the rain continues to pelt down, the players are slipping and sliding all over the shop.

It's not as though the match wasn't short enough of any real quality...

Villa are looking better this half though.

Image source, Reuters

The best moment of the match for Aston Villa.

The ball drops to Jordan Veretout on the edge of the penalty area and his low strike is parried away by Rob Elliot.

The Blaydon Races blares out from the tannoy.

I get the feeling the races might have been off in this...

Under way

Image source, Reuters

Here come the teams...

The groundsmen are prodding the grass with their forks, the rain is belting down and the fans look so so wet.

Reports from the referee's room suggest the match isn't in danger but... it looks pretty bad.

Image source, Reuters

BBC Newcastle
Former Newcastle United defender John Anderson on BBC Newcastle

"Newcastle haven't created a great deal or worked the Villa keeper much, but the hosts have been the better side and deserve the lead. 

"Newcastle's groundsmen need to get on there now and get to work, because there are patches of standing water."

Image source, Opta

Hmmm.

Not a lot of action in either side's penalty area, as the heat maps (Aston Villa right) show.

An awful half of football.

But Newcastle won't care, they lead.

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There is a black dog that keeps running down the touchline...

It fooled me for a while, but it's an advertising board.

The pitch is still absolutely sodden.

One minute of injury time added on.

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That was Fabricio Coloccini's first goal at St. James' Park since January 2011.  

Prolific...