Jason Roberts
Former West Brom striker on Final Score

"If that was dropping Mitrovic could have made more of a contact. It shows willing from him, we haven't seen that from Newcastle."

BBC Newcastle
Former Magpies defender John Anderson at Villa Park

"A tough chance for Mitrovic - the keeper was right on top of him. he had to try and kill that ball but clipped it over the top of the net. 

"A great chance, because Villa tried to play him offside and instead spectacularly failed. He was clean through."

...and from it, Aleksandar Mitrovic misses the clearest chance of an afternoon light on clear chances. Andros Townsend's delivery is half-cleared and, when Chieck Tiote hooks it back in, Mitrovic has only Mark Bunn to beat - but lifts his lob over.

Image source, Reuters

The best foul of the afternoon so far is committed by Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark, who sees Moussa Sissoko getting away down the right and tries to remove his shirt in an embrace. A booking and a Newcastle free-kick...

A Newcastle attack. The away fans raise their voices in excitement. The momentum is lost as Georginio Wijnaldum strays offside. The away fans drop their voices to a groan. As you were.

A change in attack for Newcastle: Aleksandar Mitrovic is on for Papiss Cisse. If one man can shake us from our collective torpor, it is the combustible Serbian.

Image source, Getty Images

It is a sign of how poor this game has been that the television match director at Villa Park, grateful to have some sort of incident to work with at last, keeps showing replays of that Colback chance. We're up to four so far.

Newcastle almost catch Villa dozing in the first 45 seconds of the second half. Andros Townsend's low cross from the right takes a slight deflection off Ciaran Clark, causing Papiss Cisse to perform an air shot; but Jack Colback has a clear sight of goal 12 yards out, only to balloon the ball into the North Stand. Balloon is very much the word today.

Image source, Getty Images

Right, wake up everybody. The second half's starting.

Jason Roberts
Former West Brom striker on Final Score

"Newcastle have really not grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, they haven't broken Villa down. 

"Newcastle have the capability to score goals and they haven't done that so far."

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Newcastle
Former Newcastle defender John Anderson at Villa Park

"It's been 45 minutes from Newcastle that shows them as a timid away team. Benitez has set up his team not to lose, but the Magpies must take the game to Villa to disincentivise them. 

"As the game's worn on, Aston Villa have grown into it. That is the last thing Newcastle wanted."

The first-half stats are in from Opta. There were three shots on goal in the opening 45 minutes. Not three shots on target: Three shots in total. The Villa fans had more efforts on goal with their beach balls.

A little lift for Newcastle to go with their half-time cuppa: Nemanja Matic has taken advantage of some pretty slack defending to slot in a second goal for Chelsea, who are back in front at Sunderland. Sam Allardyce's team started the day third from bottom, a point behind Newcastle, but with a game in hand.

Image source, Getty Images

Steve Wilson
BBC Match of the Day commentator at Villa Park

"A half in which both goalkeepers could have worked on their tans. Newcastle have lacked invention, seeming infected by the lethargy that has affected Aston Villa following the confirmation of their relegation. Newcastle have got to win this game, but you wouldn't know it."

In all seriousness, the first half has been utterly, utterly dreadful. One minute of time has been added on for the clearance of stray inflatables from the pitch.

I have just realised that all I have to do to make this game come alive is to utter a simple phrase. So here we go.

"There is no prospect of a goal here at Villa Park."

Now watch...

Bad news for Newcastle - Sunderland have equalised at home to Chelsea. It's a cracking volley from Wahbi Khazri, who fires in from 20 yards to sort out a short game of head tennis following a Sunderland free-kick. 

Andros Townsend looks Newcastle's likeliest route to goal at the moment. The midfielder, with three goals in his last five games, whips in a cross from the right that keeper Mark Bunn plucks from the air.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Newcastle
Former Newcastle defender John Anderson at Villa Park

"Villa have shown nothing. Newcastle, simply, need to drop the ball behind the Villa wing-backs and let Andros Townsend have a run."

After 35 minutes and 40 seconds at Villa Park, we finally we have a shot on target, of sorts. It comes at the end of a decent Newcastle counter-attack involving Andros Townsend and Georginio Wijnaldum; the ball is worked right to Vurnon Anita, whose cross is volleyed into the ground by Papiss Cisse. The striker, seeking the spectacular, does not connect cleanly, and Mark Bunn gathers the bouncing ball comfortably.

Image source, Reuters