Villa get their first chance to attack and almost score.

A free-kick is pumped forward and after Scott Hogan flicked the ball on, Birkir Bjarnason hooks an effort wide. Good chance that. 

Villa will be happy with this so far. No silly errors and no flying start from the hosts. On the run they are on, Villa really don't need to concede an early goal.

Image source, PA

Newcastle have the ball in their own half early on but cannot make any early progress going forward. Villa look sharp.  

Two teams. Twenty two men - and a few subs. Some officials. Lots of coaching staff. And three points - or possibly one each.

Let's play...er... football. 

Image source, BBC Sport

Curtis Davies
Hull City defender on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Dwight Gayle was always going to get goals. He's the main man at Newcastle and it shows, with 20 goals in 21 starts. He's back now and I'm sure he'll look to add to his tally.

The changes Villa have made show that they'll be more solid, trying to break down Newcastle's attacks. Steve Bruce will want to stay in this game as long as possible and he'll hope that Scott Hogan can nick his first goal for Villa.

A couple of minutes away from kick-off and it's as noisy as ever at St James' Park.

Nothing from their recent form suggests Villa can stop Newcastle taking all three points.

We will soon find out.

Image source, PA

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Vicki Sparks and Hull defender Curtis Davies are in position for commentary of tonight's Championship game on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra.

Click on the audio icon at the top of the page to listen online.

BBC Radio Newcastle and BBC WM are also broadcasting the game live - unfortunately a rights issue prevents us from streaming BBC local radio commentaries of EFL matches on our website.

Newcastle and Aston Villa just seems like it should be a Premier League fixture. History suggests so too.

Alright, top-flight for the pedantic among you - but you get the drift.

These two famous old clubs are meeting at St James' Park for the first time out of England's top division since 1938.

Steve Bruce is a worried man.

Image source, Rex Features

Aston Villa's "horrible" run has left them just seven points clear of the Championship relegation zone, but the boss is up for the fight.

He told BBC WM: "This is the biggest challenge I've ever had, the best club I've ever had, in 20 years in management and I'm determined to turn it round. Given time, I know for a fact I'll do it."

BBC One

A reminder that there's some other football going on elsewhere this evening.

It's a final tie of the FA Cup fifth round, which has been filled with upsets and giant-killings.

Can National League club Sutton United do the unthinkable and knock out Arsenal?

You can follow live text, BBC Radio 5 live and BBC One coverage here.

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez has sympathy with Aston Villa's troubled season so far.

The Spaniard might be new to life in England's second tier and isn't making such a bad fist of things so far. But he is well aware of the problems created by dropping out of the Premier League. 

"When teams are relegated they have to change half the squad, and it's difficult to settle down," he told BBC Newcastle.

Image source, BBC Sport

Initial optimism under Steve Bruce seems like a long time ago. Aston Villa haven't won since Boxing Day, and have only earned one point this year.

Whichever way you dress up these figures, it doesn't make great reading for the Villa boss.

Image source, Rex Features

Newcastle: Darlow, Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett, Ritchie, Shelvey, Colback, Gouffran, Diame, Gayle.

Subs: Hanley, Lazaar, Perez, Elliot, Jesus Gamez, Atsu, Mitrovic. 

Aston Villa: Johnstone, Hutton, Elphick, Chester, Taylor, Jedinak, Bjarnason, Hourihane, Lansbury, Hogan, Kodjia.

Subs: Baker, Bacuna, Gardner, Amavi, Bunn, Adomah, Grealish. 

Let's have some team news shall we?

Newcastle make just the two changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Norwich - and both come in attack. Twenty-goal Dwight Gayle starts his first game since being injured against Brentford in the middle of January and Mohamed Diame also gets a starting spot.

Aston Villa have Mile Jedinak back in the midfield, the Australian having missed five games with a groin problem. Three other changes from the side beaten by Barnsley last time out see opportunities for defenders Neil Taylor, Tommy Elphick and midfielder Birkir Bjarnason.

Tonight's offering features two of England's finest clubs. Being polite, they may not have had the best of times in recent years but as a fun-filled FA Cup weekend draws to a close, Newcastle and Aston Villa can at least point to a pretty spectacular record in that competition.

Thirteen wins between them count for little in the league of course but Villa, in particular, need some cheering up after a pretty terrible run...

Image source, Rex Features

It's a tall order, but can Steve Bruce's side stop Newcastle getting the win that will take above Brighton and back to the top of the Championship pile?

The Seagulls beat Barnsley on Saturday, just their second victory in six in all competitions.

Image source, Getty Images

The weather's a bit milder, spring feels like it's upon us and the first day of the working week is done and dusted.  

And not only that, we have a fine Championship fixture to further bring cheer to you this Monday night.