Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's Premier League encounter as Newcastle United welcome Aston Villa to St James' Park. We've got some team news coming right up...

NEWCASTLE: Krul; Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett; Sissoko, Tiote, Anita, Gouffran; Remy, Cisse

NEWCASTLE SUBS: Elliott, Haidara, Yanga-Mbiwa, S Taylor, Gosling, Shola Ameobi, de Jong

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew makes four changes to his starting XI following their 4-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur on February 12. Fabricio Coloccini and Paul Dummett come into the back four, while Cheick Tiote and Loic Remy also return.

ASTON VILLA: Guzan; Bacuna, Vlaar, Baker, Bertrand; Westwood, Delph, El Ahmadi, Weimann; Benteke, Agbonlahor

ASTON VILLA SUBS: Steer, Sylla, Holt, Clark, Albrighton, Tonev, Bennett

Just the two changes for Aston Villa following their goalless draw with Cardiff City two weeks ago. Karim El Ahmadi and Andreas Weimann are both given the nod by manager Paul Lambert. Marc Albrighton and Joe Bennett drop to the bench.

It's another busy Sunday in the Premier League, with two other games being played elsewhere. Liverpool host Swansea City (1.30pm KO), while Norwich City entertain Tottenham Hotspur (4pm KO).

Anyway, back to business. Newcastle are currently on a worrying run of three straight defeats, and they will be desperate to put things right this afternoon. Their last victory came over a month ago when they beat West Ham United 3-1 at Upton Park.

While Newcastle have been on a downward spiral, Villa have been typically inconsistent in recent weeks. Paul Lambert's side have taken one win, two draws and three defeats from their last six matches. They can move up to 11th place with a victory today, but another loss will get them worried.

You can take a look at the Premier League table as it stands right here.

RECENT FORM:

NEWCASTLE: LWDLLL
ASTON VILLA: LDWLLD

It was Newcastle who came away with the points when they visited Villa Park back in September. Hatem Ben Arfa and Yoan Gouffran got the goals for the visitors, while Christian Benteke responded for Villa. Alan Pardew would bit your hand off for the same result this afternoon.

7 - Newcastle United have now failed to score in seven of their last eight @premierleague games. Blank. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 23, 2014

PREDICTION TIME: While the stat below demonstrates Newcastle's recent troubles, we here at Sports Mole can see them finding the net in a 1-1 draw this afternoon.

HEAD TO HEAD: Newcastle currently lead the head-to-head record between these teams with 67 wins compared to Villa's 52. There have also been 33 draws. The Magpies also have the better record in recent times with three wins and two draws from their last five encounters.

Villa's last victory against Newcastle came back in April 2011 as they secured a narrow 1-0 triumph at home in the Premier League. They last won at St James' Park in 2005.

No.1 @BGuzan warming up before the game. #AVFCLIVE #NUFC pic.twitter.com/xIbjXQy1Zz — Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) February 23, 2014

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert: "The expectancy will be on Newcastle. They have been beaten at home pretty heavily in the last few games.

"We are going to go there on the front foot because if we do then their crowd might become edgy.

"Any club that has a big fan base, especially at home they expect to win. When things are going against you then you can hear the grumblings."

REFEREE WATCH: The referee for today's match is Martin Atkinson, who has dished out 40 yellow cards and four red cards this season.

The players are starting to emerge in the tunnel. Needless to say St James' Park is packed to the rafters as both sets of fans await the teams.

Here come the teams! #NUFC #NEWAVL

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFCOfficial) February 23, 2014

KICKOFF! The pre-match handshakes have been done and it will be Newcastle to get us underway at St James' Park. Here we go!

CHANCE! Newcastle have started brightly and they nearly get the first goal of the afternoon through Remy. The Frenchman hit a low drive from about 25 yards, but Guzan was able to get down and make the save.

Now it's Villa who have a crack at goal as Bacuna lines up a free kick from 25 yards. However, he can only drag his effort wide. It's been a decent opening few minutes to this game, with both teams looking to get forward and attack. Let's hope they keep it up.

It's nice and open at the moment as the two sides continue to attack and counter-attack. Newcastle get themselves a corner, but they fail to make anything of it. The Magpies the surge forward again before Cisse is flagged for offside.

It's all Newcastle at the moment. The home side are first to everything, while Villa are struggling to get out of their own half. The visitors almost shot themselves in the foot when Guzan spilled Cisse's effort, but they managed to clear the danger. Alan Pardew is sure to be pleased with what he's seen so far.

Villa are starting to show some signs of life, though it is Newcastle who are still doing all of the pressing. Remy half-heartedly appeals for a penalty after getting sandwiched between two defenders, but referee Martin Atkinson does the right things and waves play on.

#NUFC 0-0 #AVFC - MATCH PICTURE: Leandro Bacuna in the thick of the action. #AVFCLIVE pic.twitter.com/QHBdU3XEoG

— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) February 23, 2014

CHANCES! Two great opportunities for Villa to take the lead as El Ahmadi puts a couple of really good crosses into the heart of the Newcastle box, but he just can't find a teammate with either of them. The visitors have been a lot better during the past couple of minutes.

SAVE! Close for Villa again! The ball fell to Agbonlahor inside the Newcastle penalty area before the striker hit a powerful left-footed drive towards goal. However, Krul was there to push the shot away. That was a very good stop from the Dutchman. Agbonlahor then tries his luck from distance moments later, only for his effort to fly over the crossbar.

Paul Lambert will be delighted with how his side has grown into this game. Villa looked a bit overwhelmed during the early stages, but they are on top now. Their attacks are quick, while there is plenty of fight in the midfield.

The atmosphere is just a bit flat inside St James' Park at the minute. The Newcastle fans have not had too much to shout about as of late, and it's no different today. Villa are looking the more likely top score as it stands.

CHANCE! Some worry in the Newcastle box there as Krul needs two attempts to save Bacuna's tame free kick. However, the goalkeeper was alert to the danger. You would be forgiven for thinking that Villa were the home side right now considering they confident style of their play.

Encouraging signs from a Newcastle perspective as they start to find their rhythm a bit more. The hosts have been incredibly flat so far and will need to up their tempo if they want to have a say in this match.

Groans from the Newcastle fans as Cisse's attempted pass to Remy inside the box is cut out by Westwood. That was great defending from the Villa youngster, he read that situation really well. In terms of the overall flow of this match, it's all very even right now. Neither team is really taking this game by the scruff of the neck.

UPDATE: While we're yet to see a goal at St James' Park, there have been FIVE at Anfield between Liverpool and Swansea. The Merseysiders went 2-0 up early on before Swansea pulled it back to 2-2, but Daniel Sturridge has just scored his second of the game to give the home side the lead again.

Newcastle are beginning to pile on the pressure as we head into the final five minutes of the half. Villa are having to do a lot of defending, though they are looking more than capable of doing so. Gouffran's just been down with a knee problem, but he seems to be okay to continue.

YELLOW CARD: The first booking of the game goes the way of Villa captain Ron Vlaar for chopping down Loic Remy. Newcastle get a free kick in a decent position as a result, but the French strike whips his effort narrowly wide of the post.

Three minutes of added time at the end of this first half. A goal would be nice.

MISS! Oh dear, Papiss Cisse! The striker was picked out inside the box by Remy following a swift Newcastle counter-attack, but he can only shank his shot over the crossbar from about eight yards. That is a terrible miss.

Martin Atkinson blows his whistle to bring an end to a fairly uninspiring opening 45 minutes at St James' Park. Both teams have had their chances, although some woeful finishing has seen the game remain goalless.

The best chance of the first half came right at the end when Cisse somehow fired over the crossbar from close range. How costly could that miss be for the Magpies as they look to end a winless run of three games?

HALF-TIME Newcastle 0-0 Aston Villa. There's been 13 attempts on goal but it's all square at the break #NEWAVL pic.twitter.com/JLOPIMkdrv

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 23, 2014

UPDATE: It's goals galore at Anfield as Liverpool lead Swansea City 3-2 at half time. Daniel Sturridge (2) and Jordan Henderson have got on the scoresheet for the hosts, while Jonjo Shelvey and Wilfried Bony are among the goals for the visitors.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The players are back out and it will be Villa to kick us off for the second half. No changes for either side at the break.

Newcastle have been sloppy at the start of this second half. They've given the ball away too many times already. In contrast, Villa are looking calm and composed. You get the feeling that Paul Lambert has told them to remain patient. Patience isn't something that you associate with Newcastle.

CHANCE! Close for Newcastle! Some good work from Sissoko out on the left wing eventually sees the ball drop for Gouffran inside the Villa box. The Frenchman takes a swing at it, but he drags his effort wide of the far post.

#NUFC 0-0 #AVFC - MATCH PICTURE: @AndiWeimann shows his strength to retain possession. #AVFCLIVE pic.twitter.com/aUtLJUc1Vj — Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) February 23, 2014

Newcastle have got a little bit of a spring in their step at the moment. Their fans are responding as well, raising the noise level inside St James' Park. However, Villa are continuing to pose a threat on the counter-attack.

UPDATE: It's now 3-3 between Liverpool and Swansea following a Wilfried Bony penalty at Anfield. Oh, the contrast!

SUBSTITUTION: Villa make their first change of the afternoon as Yacouba Sylla replaces Ashley Westwood, who goes straight down the tunnel with what looks like a knock. Thirty minutes left to play on Tyneside and we still await the first goal.

CHANCE! Newcastle nearly open the scoring as Dummett fires narrowly over from the edge of the box. The youngster did well to get the ball out from under his feet, but he just got a bit too much on the shot. Newcastle are enjoying a decent spell right now as they look to play more directly.

Newcastle try their luck again as Tiote'e long-range drive is easily saved by Guzan. The Magpies are still on top. Meanwhile, Villa are finding it difficult to get out of their own half.

YELLOW CARD: Another day, another booking for Cheick Tiote. The Newcastle midfielder is cautioned by Martin Atkinson following a cynical trip on Fabian Delph. No complaints from Tiote there.

YELLOW CARD: Another booking now as Villa's Karim El Ahmadi is shown a yellow card for shoving Tiote to the ground.

SUBSTITUTION: Newcastle make their first change of the match as Luuk de Jong replaces Papiss Cisse. Can the Dutch striker endear himself to the home fans by bagging a goal this afternoon?

UPDATE: A seventh goal of the afternoon has gone in at Anfield, with Jordan Henderson putting Liverpool 4-3 ahead against Swansea with just under 20 minutes to go. Just one goal at St James' Park would be nice. Delph tries to break the deadlock with an effort from 25 yards, but he shoots well wide of the target.

SUBSTITUTION: A second change for Villa as Ryan Bertrand is withdrawn in place of Joe Bennett.

That is woeful from Gouffran. The Frenchman took an age to shoot from outside the box with a free kick before slamming his effort straight into the wall. Remy then had a more meaningful crack at goal, only for Guzan to make a smart save.

PENALTY APPEAL! Newcastle want a penalty after a possible handball from Bacuna. The ball scraped his hand inside the box, but Martin Atkinson waves away the appeals. That could easily have been given.

Newcastle are doing all of the pressing as we head towards the final few minutes of this match. They're now playing with a determination that has been lacking from them for most of the afternoon. Meanwhile, Villa are doing their best to soak up all of the pressure.

It's now very much and end-to-end contest. Villa break with pace through Weimann, but he can only shoot wide instead of playing in Agbonlahor or Benteke. That was wasteful from the Austrian.

OFF THE POST! So very close for Newcastle as De Jong dispossesses Vlaar inside the box before feeding Remy. The Frenchman shoots first time towards goal from the centre of the area, but his effort comes back off the woodwork. Incredible.

SUBSTITUTION: A second change of the afternoon for Newcastle sees Dan Gosling enter the action in place of Cheick Tiote.

Three minutes of added time to be played...

Newcastle have done it! They lead Aston Villa with just a couple of minutes to play thanks to that man Loic Remy! De Jong's shot from the edge of the box found its way to the Frenchman, who showed great control before firing past Guzan. St James' Park is rocking!

Martin Atkinson blows for full time, bringing an end to Newcastle's recent run of three straight defeats. The game looked to be heading for a goalless draw before Loic Remy's late strike. What an incredible finish to the match.

That's all from me for now but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the reaction from today's match right here on Sports Mole. We also have live text coverage of Norwich vs. Tottenham Hotspur, which can be found here. Elsewhere, Liverpool have beaten Swansea 4-3 in what was a cracker at Anfield. Anyway, thanks for your company and we hope to see you again soon.