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And now Libor Kozak squeezes off a shot which is deflected and needs Wayne Hennessey to make a flying save! Villa on top. 

Libor Kozak keeps on lumbering away up front for Aston Villa, he's got the fans on his side tonight. Plenty of passion and effort from him but not enough quality yet.

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, AFP

"It's almost an identical start to the first half with Manchester United camped in their half and Newcastle United having plenty of the ball."

It's a debut for Cherries forward Juan Iturbe as Matt Ritchie limps off. 

Praise indeed!

West Ham have made a strong start to the second half as they chase an equaliser. Michail Antonio blasts a shot across goal.

Away bright and sharp at Villa Park, our other two Premier League games will join in soon...

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Alan Pardew is not a happy chap with that first-half showing and he's making changes - on comes striker Connor Wickham for Joe Ledley. Go big or go home. 

Rt. Rev. Liam Reilly: Newcastle score & it's a midfielder again (specifically Gini Wijnaldum again). Get a clue McClaren & buy a decent striker.

Graham Megennis: NUFC now not had a penalty for over a year. The count is now at seven that should have been given in that time. Conspiracy?

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In League One, promotion-chasers Coventry and Wigan both lead at the break. Coventry are 1-0 up on Wigan thanks to Chris Stokes's header, while Wigan lead Sheffield United 2-0, with Will Grigg and Haris Vukcic on the scoresheet.

Just the one goal so far in League Two, but it's a biggie. James Collins has given Northampton the lead against Plymouth in the top-of-the-table clash. As it stands, the Cobblers will draw level on points at the top. Huge.

At the interval in the Championship, the top two are treading water with leaders Middlesbrough and nearest rivals Derby both drawing.

Aitor Karanka’s men are being held 0-0 away to Brentford, while the Rams have been pegged back to 1-1 at home to Reading.

Below the top two, Burnley are 1-0 away to MK Dons, but Brighton are on the ugly end of the same scoreline at Rotherham after Danny Ward put the hosts ahead on the stroke of the break.

You can follow all the second-tier spills and thrills over on our dedicated Championship live text commentary.

Will Bournemouth end up ruing those early misses from Benik Afobe? The record signign spooned a free header over the bar and then stood on the ball when clean through.

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Reuters

"It's been a very entertaining half. Both teams have had chances. I didn't think it was a penalty for Manchester United and Newcastle could have had one. A great counter-attack helped the visitors take the lead and to Newcastle's credit, with their the fans getting restless, they came back into the game."

It's largely going to form at the bottom of the table. More woe for second-from-bottom Charlton as they trail Huddersfield 2-0 thanks to goals from Mark Hudson and Nahki Wells.

Fulham's freefall shows no signs of abating as Michal Zyro's brace sees Wolves lead 2-1 against Slavisa Jokanovic's side.

Better news for bottom club Bolton though - they are holding Sheffield Wednesday at half-time after Gary Madine cancelled out Fernando Forestieri's opener.

Much better from Manchester United in spells as they added some penetration to their possession. But Newcastle are well in the game. 

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Alistair Mann calls it 'Villa's best 45 minutes of the season'.

Goalless.

It's another cracking save from Bournemouth keeper Artur Boruc to deny Dimitri Payet, turning it away. Good game on the south coast, the Hammers coming into life. Belatedly. 

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Two

Image source, PA

"Aleksandar Mitrovic produced some good centre-forward play as he held the ball up well and and nodded it into the path of Georginio Wijnaldum. He missed a chance earlier but there was no mistake this time."