Half-Time Report: Newcastle in control at Aston Villa

Goals from Papiss Cisse and Yohan Cabaye have put Newcastle United in command at the break of their trip to Aston Villa this evening.

After an even start to the contest, visiting Newcastle broke the deadlock with 19 minutes on the clock. Debutant Moussa Sissoko was heavily involved as he threaded a pass through to Cisse, who took one touch before slotting the ball underneath an advancing Brad Guzan in the Villa goal.

The home side's response was positive and almost immediate. Christian Benteke flicked on the ball for Charles N'Zogbia, who took aim from outside the area. However, his volleyed effort cannoned to safety off the upright with Tim Krul beaten.

Villa continued to push forward in search of an equaliser, only to soon find themselves 2-0 down with 31 minutes on the clock. Ron Vlaar failed to clear Jonas Gutierrez's cross with any real distance and Cabaye punished that error by sending a right footed volley into the corner of the net from 25 yards out.

Benteke fired over late in the half from a narrow angle as Villa went into the interval staring at yet another defeat.