Saturday 19 December 2015 23:41, UK
Aston Villa remain bottom of the Premier League, despite fighting back from a goal down to secure a 1-1 draw at Newcastle.
At a rain soaked St James' Park, Newcastle took the lead as Fabricio Coloccini converted Siem de Jong's corner at the far post in the 38th minute.
But Villa - who are still without a win since the opening day of the season - put in a much improved display after the break and hit back with just under half an hour remaining thanks to Jordan Ayew's superb curling effort.
Both sides pushed for a winner as conditions worsened but it was Newcastle who spurned the better chances through De Jong, Georginio Wijnaldum and Ayoze Perez as the spoils were eventually shared to keep Villa bottom at Christmas and Steve McClaren's side in 17th.
Newcastle, who were unchanged again following back-to-back victories at Liverpool and Tottenham, started well but chances were few in what was a cagey opening.
With the rain starting to come down heavily, surface water was starting to build on the pitch and made conditions difficult for the players.
McClaren was forced into a change in the 32nd minute when Papiss Cisse, who headed straight at Brad Guzan minutes earlier, pulled up clutching his hamstring and he was replaced by Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Daryl Janmaat's crosses were providing troublesome for the visitors and this time he found the substitute Mitrovic, who looped a header goalwards, only to see it tipped over the bar by Guzan.
However, the hosts made the breakthrough straight from the corner as Colback's low cross travelled a long way to reach Coloccini at the far post, his shot beating the despairing dive of Guzan at his near post.
Ground staff worked on the pitch at half-time as standing water on the pitch continued to make play tricky, but it was Villa who were seeming to cope the better after the break as Jordan Veretout's left-foot drive was palmed away by Rob Elliot seconds after the restart.
Remi Garde's side were enjoying their best spell of the games as Ayew's volley flew high over the bar after Paul Dummett had half-cleared Veretout's free-kick.
Despite Villa's resurgence, Newcastle should have killed the game off in the 57th minute when De Jong somehow missed from a few yards out when unmarked at the far post.
It was to prove costly for the hosts just four minutes later when, after substitute Rudy Gestede had forced a save from Elliot, Ayew curled a stunning shot beyond the dive of the 'keeper and inside the far post to level the scores.
The goal lifted Villa and they could have taken the lead in the 65th minute when Gestede only just failed to get a touch on the dangerous Ayew's cross as he slid in.
In what were still difficult conditions, both sides went for a winner with Elliot denying Gestede and substitute Perez firing over the bar from close range.
However, it wasn't to be for either side as Villa, who will be buoyed by their second half performance, stay rooted at the bottom of the table with just seven points from 17 games, while Newcastle stay 17th, three points above the relegation places.
Player ratings
Newcastle: Elliot (7), Janmaat (7), Coloccini (7), Mbemba (7), Dummett (6), Sissoko (6), Colback (6), Anita (6), Wijnaldum (6), De Jong (6), Cisse (5).
Subs used: Thauvin (5), Perez (5), Mitrovic (6).
Aston Villa: Guzan (6), Hutton (6), Okore (7), Lescott (6), Bacuna (6), Gueye (5), Westwood (6), Veretout (7), Sanchez (7), Sinclair (6), Ayew (8).
Subs used: Gestede (7).
Man of the match: Jordan Ayew
