Newcastle United have been held to a goalless draw away at Aston Villa, a result which leaves the Magpies in the drop zone and at risk of being relegated before the final game of the season.
Sunderland's 3-2 victory over Chelsea has left the Black Cats one point ahead of Newcastle but they can send their North-East rivals down to the Championship if they win their game in hand against Everton on Wednesday night.
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With Norwich City falling to defeat against Manchester United, Newcastle went into the game knowing that they could move five points clear of one of their rivals with victory at Villa Park, but they barely offered anything in the final third during a dismal opening 45 minutes.
The only shot of the opening quarter came through a speculative 35-yard drive from Villa's Ciaran Clark, and while Newcastle never looked like falling behind, their only real opportunity during the first half came through a mis-hit volley from Papiss Cisse after he had been found in space at the back post.
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The Magpies returned after the restart pushing for a goal and they almost found one within a minute of the second half getting underway, but after Andros Townsend found Jack Colback, the midfielder's volley was fired over the bar from 12 yards out.
Chances were still few and far between but just after the hour mark, Aleksandar Mitrovic had his first opportunity since being introduced as a substitute when latching on to a ball over the top but his lob was directed off target.
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With 20 minutes remaining, news emerged of Sunderland taking the lead against Chelsea which left Newcastle requiring a goal to remain out of the drop zone, and they nearly found one when Georginio Wijnaldum toe-poked the ball towards the bottom corner, only to see Mark Bunn make an outstanding intervention down to his right.
The Magpies continued to throw men forward in search of a goal but a header from Mitrovic that just evaded the far post was their best opening heading into the closing 10 minutes.
Townsend saw a free kick comfortably saved by Bunn deep into added-on time but that was as near as Newcastle came in the final stages as Villa held them to a draw which leaves Rafael Benitez's men staring second-tier football square in the face.
Darren Plant
