Newcastle United find themselves 1-0 up against Aston Villa, with loan signing Loic Remy providing an assist to allow Hatem Ben Arfa to give his side the lead at the break.

Newcastle had Fabriccio Coloccini to thank early on when the centre-back did well to stop Gabby Agbonlahor, who looked to find space down the right and get in behind the Newcastle defence.

The away side then took their first real opportunity of the game to take the lead when Ben Arfa converted from six yards, after a deflected low cross from Loic Remy.

Villa had the opportunity to bring things level just before the break when Matthew Lowton whipped a ball into the box for Antonio Luna, who was only able to hit the side-netting.