Steve Wilson
BBC Match of the Day commentator at Villa Park

"Aston Villa and Newcastle were once two of the bright lights of the Premier League. Today it's been dim and dimmer."

Image source, Getty Images

The sun's out, though. Nice weather for chucking a beach ball around.

Still, Villa are on course for a point at the moment, and they have not managed that since 6 February. Alan Hutton breaks down the right and lifts a tame cross into the arms of Newcastle keeper Karl Darlow. I can't believe anyone inside Villa Park can possibly be enjoying themselves right now.

Villa pass the ball around their back line, making little progress. Leandro Bacuna is booed every time he is in possession; a legacy of his recent comments that he wanted to play Champions League football next season.

As a deeply unimpressed Garth Crooks said on this very website two weeks ago: "The question I would like to pose is, with whom? Real Madrid or Bayern Munich?"

Newcastle attack once more. Vurnon Anita, on the right touchline, tries to slide a diagonal pass through to Papiss Cisse, but the striker cannot get his foot round it as the angle closes on him, and the ball runs to keeper Mark Bunn.

I count four balloons in the back of keeper Mark Bunn's goal at the Holte End, and one more bobbing around in the penalty area.

Andros Townsend feeds a pass right to Moussa Sissoko, who whips in a cross from the right that narrowly avoids both a giant inflatable football in the six-yard box and everyone else in the penalty area. Sissoko has to pick up the inflatable and throw it off the pitch as the attack breaks down. This is turning into a very odd afternoon. Very odd.

Newcastle's attempts to attack down the left are stymied by the stray balloons that have made their way on to the pitch from the home sections of the ground. One almost tackles full-back Paul Dummett as he tries to deliver a cross that goes long.

Not much happening on the pitch at Villa Park, so here's a quick update from the other big match at the bottom. It's good news for Newcastle - Sunderland are losing 0-1 at home to Chelsea; Diego Costa has scored the goal, slotting in from a tight angle.

Image source, Getty Images

OK, let's try to focus on some action amid the protests. Andros Townsend seems to take the ball ouut of play down the right, but linesman Peter Kirkup allows him to go on and cross. Georginio Wijnaldum's header at the far post is deflected behind off Alan Hutton for a Newcastle corner, which Villa deal with.

Image source, Reuters

Shaun Watson: Had Rafa been appointed earlier Newcastle would have been clear now.

Josh Annetts: The thing with Newcastle seems to be that their attack is hundreds of times better than their defence. They can win if Villa field Lescott and Guzan. Villa have Gestede injured and flabby Gabby suspended, so it's just Ayew who isn't hard to marshall. Should be an easy win for Newcastle.

An alternative view on BBC Radio Newcastle. "Just pop the damn things with a pin!" is the general consensus...

Image source, Reuters

The track behind the goal at the Holte End is filled with beach balls that have been hurled in the direction of the pitch. Referee Bobby Madley has had to stop the game briefly so that one or two that made it to the pitch can be cleared.

Steve Wilson
BBC Match of the Day commentator at Villa Park

"Rafa Benitez once lost a game because of a beach ball. That may be on his mind today."

Some of those beach balls have already found their way on to the pitch. Villa keeper Mark Bunn has to kick a couple away.

This from Daily Mail reporter Sam Cunningham at Villa Park.

BBC Newcastle
Former Newcastle defender John Anderson at Villa Park

"Newcastle might have been boosted by the Norwich result, but they will have more of an eye on what goes on with Sunderland. I didn't expect Norwich to get anything today. 

"If Newcastle win today and Sunderland are beaten then all of a sudden there's a points cushion. Plus extra pressure on the Black Cats to catch up."

Steve Wilson
BBC Match of the Day commentator at Villa Park

"There's a grim humour at Villa Park today: 'You're going down with the Villa' is the song from the home fans."

You can say anything with statistics, but here are two to consider as we get under way at Villa Park:

1) Aston Villa have not managed to gain a single Premier League point for three months, having suffered 11 successive defeats.

2) Newcastle have managed only one away league point in 2016 - although that was on their last away trip, at Liverpool two weeks ago.

Something has to give today...

Image source, Getty Images

A final score of significance to bring you from Carrow Road: Norwich City remain in the bottom three after losing 0-1 at home to Manchester United. Juan Mata scored the only goal.

Image source, #bbcfootball