Half-Time Report: Papiss Cisse puts Newcastle United ahead against Aston Villa

A Papiss Cisse goal has given Newcastle United a 1-0 lead against Aston Villa in this afternoon's Premier League clash at St James' Park.

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The visitors started brightly, with Daryl Janmaat forced to clear behind his own goal from Christian Benteke's cross as Scott Sinclair was lurking at the back post.

On the quarter-hour mark, Gabriel Agbonlahor got the ball into the back of the Magpies net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Benteke continued to create good chances for Villa, firing wide half an hour in before launching into an overhead kick that Tim Krul had to palm away moments later.

Despite the visitors' dominance, it was Newcastle that took the lead 37 minutes in when a Janmaat cross from the right was missed by the Villa defence, with Cisse controlling the ball and slotting into the net.

On the stroke of half time, Newcastle went close to doubling their lead as Emmanuel Riviere headed over from Sammy Ameobi's corner.