Newcastle add to Villa misery; QPR hold Man City to goalless draw

By Peter Wells (@boxingpeter): While Newcastle United jumped 4 points clear of relegation, Aston Villa were staring at the horrifying task of turning their fortunes around before it is too late. A spirited second half performance was not enough to save Aston Villa from facing yet another defeat - they haven't won since they defeated Liverpool, mid December.

Newcastle outclassed Villa all over the pitch in the first 45 minutes, and were more than good value for their 2-0 half time lead at a disgusted Villa Park. On 19 minutes new signing Moussa Sissoko played a wonderful through ball to Papiss Cisse, who coolly slotted past the on rushing Brad Guzan. Charles N'Zogbia showed the home faithful there was indeed some life in the Villa team, when he struck the crossbar. But it was Newcastle who struck the back of the net next on 31 minutes through Yohan Cabaye who finished wonderfully giving Guzan no chance.

The half time whistle was met by a chorus of boos as Paul Lambert lead his team to the changing room. Whatever Lambert said at half time, it sure worked as Aston Villa came out looking like a totally different team. Weimann and Agbonlahor also helped rejuvenate the Villa side. Weimann forced Krul to save well before Gabby won Aston Villa a penalty on 49 minutes. Benteke stepped up and converted, giving Villa a chance of a 2nd half comeback.

But despite Newcastle offering next to nothing in the 2nd period, they were able to hold off Lambert's men. So it was another terrible night for all Aston Villa fans, but Lambert can take plenty of positives from the 2nd half display. Unfortunately only playing for one half of football is not enough to survive in the Premier League.

While Aston Villa are slipping down into the drop zone, QPR are starting to claw their way out. After a humiliating home defeat to League One, MK Dons, Harry Redknapp's men more than made up for it by holding the champions, Man City to a 0-0 draw.

City dominated but failed to find a way past the remarkable Julio Cesar, who on multiple occasions denied Roberto Mancini's side from taking the lead. Rangers had few chances on the break, but it was City who controlled the game but the goals they scored for fun last season, were just not there last night.

Swansea were also held to a 0-0 draw at Sunderland, in a game where Swansea dominated the first half but failed to take any of their chances. The 2nd half was closer but the best of the opportunities still fell to Swansea, but both teams will be satisfied with the point.

In the final Tuesday game, Wigan came from 2-0 down to earn a point at Stoke. On 23 minutes Ryan Shawcross converted from close range before Peter Crouch doubled Stoke's advantage on 48 minutes.

Within two minutes the Latics were back in the game when James McArthur side-footed home. Then on 61 minutes, Franco Di Santo stunned the home crowd when he tapped home from 6 yards out. The draw helped lift Wigan out of the drop zone although a shock win for Reading at home to Chelsea will drop them back in.

Tonight's key game, will be Arsenal taking on a Liverpool side coming off the back of an embarrassing 3-2 defeat to League One Oldham.

Tuesday 29th January: Aston Villa 1-2 Newcastle; QPR 0-0 Man City; Stoke 2-2 Wigan; Sunderland 0-0 Swansea

Wednesday 30th January: Arsenal v Liverpool; Everton v West Brom; Norwich v Tottenham; Fulham v West Ham; Man Utd v Southampton; Reading v Chelsea