Brilliant from Jordan Ayew, but just not quite brilliant enough.

The Ghanaian cuts inside from the left, beats two men, and bends a shot onto the far post, with Matz Sels completely beaten in the Newcastle goal.

There's another delay in the game just after, as Newcastle full-back DeAndre Yedlin is forced off the field with an injury, replaced by Cheick Tiote.

Image source, Rex Features

Mile Jedinak thinks he's levelled for Aston Villa when he heads in from Jordan Ayew's delightful free-kick, but the flag is rightly raised for offside.

Moments later, Jonathan Kodjia has a shot deflected wide and out for a corner to the hosts, which eventually results in Rudy Gestede heading over.

Villa have sprung to life here.

Alistair Griffiths: Matt Jarvis best left winger at Wolves in years during promotion 2009. Created and scored loads of goals 

William Cooper: Best left winger at the Toon? Ginola surely up there.

How are Newcastle not two goals ahead?

Jonjo Shelvey is involved once again, cutting the ball back to Mo Diame in great position inside the penalty area, but the Senegal international fires wide.

His wait for a first Newcastle goal continues.

There's a long delay in proceedings as Jordan Ayew and DeAndre Yedlin get treatment following a clash of heads in the Newcastle box, but he looks okay to continue as he trots to the sideline.

Meanwhile, Villa boss Roberto di Matteo makes his second change, sending on Rudy Gestede for Albert Adomah.

Image source, Rex Features

Jonjo Shelvey - perhaps fortunate to avoid a red card in the first half - is running proceedings for Newcastle.

He takes the ball on from a short corner and bends an ambitious shot high and wide of goal.

Villa fans finally find something to cheer about as they spot Rudy Gestede preparing to come on from the bench.

Jonjo Shelvey crafts the first attempt on goal of the second-half, stinging Villa keeper Pierluigi Gollini's hands with a sweetly-struck shot from distance.

DeAndre Yedlin is surprised to see the ball come to him inside the box a couple of minutes later and he sends his shot well wide. 

Much like in the first period, Aston Villa have started the early stages of the half well, matching Newcastle but without testing the goalkeeper.

Substitute Aaron Tshibola has yet to assert his influence since coming on at the break.

Tim Moseley: Its the Villa midfield , create nothing.  

Trevor Greatrex: Give Hepburn Murphy a chance!

A couple of Aston Villa fans have got in touch to let us know what they think the problem was with their side in the first-half. Forward Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, for those who don't know, became Aston Villa's youngest Premier League player in March 2015 when still just 16 years old.

Aston Villa have made a change at the break, bringing on midfielder Aaron Tshibola for defender Nathan Baker, whose brilliant challenge on Dwight Gayle kept the score at only 1-0 to Newcastle in the first-half.

The hosts get the game back under way.

Only a minute or so now until we get back under way at Villa Park.

Villa fans - what changes do you want to see in the second-half? Let me know using #bbcefl.

Image source, Getty Images

We're getting a great response to our request for your best left-wingers, after Jeremy Corbyn claimed victory in the Labour party's leadership contest.

Here are some of the best...

James: Steve Guppy jinking down the left wing at Wycombe & Leicester. Had a great cross on him. Could put it on a postage stamp.

Peter: Eddie Gray, a true legend

Image source, Rex Features

Ex-Villa forward Gary Thompson on BBC WM: "It's been poor from Villa.

"There's been no direction and they look like they don't know what they're doing.

"They've been trying to keep the ball in the wrong areas and they've been giving the ball away in the wrong areas and Newcastle have created chance after chance.

"Unless Villa change their system they have lost this game - it will be two, three or four nil."

Aston Villa win a free-kick just before the break, but Jordan Amavi's delivery fails to beat the first man.

After a bright start, the hosts have been completely outclassed by Rafael Benitez's Newcastle side, who could have been two or three goals to the good with better finishing.

The game has settled down a little after a breathless period of Newcastle dominance.

There will be two minutes of added time at the end of the first-half.

BBC Newcastle's NUFC summariser John Anderson: "Once Newcastle get it down the side of Villa's defenders, Villa are all over the place and haven't got a clue. Newcastle are looking dangerous whenever they go forward." 

Jonjo Shelvey whips in a teasing ball from the right, but nobody is close enough to get a crucial touch inside the box.

Villa cannot get close to their opponents right now - what can Roberto di Matteo do to turn this game around?

Image source, Rex Features

Newcastle are almost punished for their profligacy in front of goal, as Albert Adomah gets free in the box and volleys just wide.

The former Middlesbrough man is Villa's best attacking outlet, with striker Jonathan Kodjia having to drop far too deep to try to get hold of the ball.

Newcastle are a threat every time they go forward.

Paul Dummett rifles a shot wide from outside the box, before Dwight Gayle sprints clear of the Villa defence and bears down on goal.

It looks for all the world like it's going to be 2-0, but Nathan Baker flies in to make a brilliant saving challenge. 

Another defensive mishap from Tommy Elphick sets Gayle clean through again, but he fires straight at the keeper. Carnage at the back.

Image source, Rex Features

Six games without a win - how do Aston Villa respond from here?

Jordan Amavi flies down the left-hand flank and sends in a tempting cross, but it's narrowly over the head of Albert Adomah at the far post.

Much better from the hosts.