By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

At Villa Park

Aston Villa 0

Newcastle United 0

Newcastle United extended their unbeaten run to five games with a goalless draw at Aston Villa in the Barclays Premier League.

However, despite the point, results elsewhere meant the Magpies dropped back into the relegation zone with just one game remaining.

United had the better chances of an edgy clash at Villa Park, with Papiss Cisse, Jack Colback, substitute Aleksandar Mitrovic and Andros Townsend all threatening during a frustrating afternoon.

But they were unable to find a way through the top flight's already-relegated bottom side.

Villa centre-back Ciaran Clark had the afternoon's first shot with less than five minutes on the clock, but dragged his ambitious 25-yard drive well wide of the target.

It wasn't long before United were on the front foot, however, and only an Alan Hutton block prevented Georginio Wijnaldum's far post header from testing home stopper Mark Bunn.

The visitors continued to assert themselves and Moussa Sissoko flashed a cross right through the six-yard box, which was crying out for a touch, minutes before Papiss Cisse was unable to get a true connection on Vurnon Anita's clever through ball.

Just past the half-hour mark Cisse had another opportunity to break the deadlock. It stemmed from a rapid counter-attack after the Magpies soaked up some heavy Villa possession - Sissoko and Andros Townsend broke at pace and eventually the ball got worked out to Vurnon Anita wide on the right.

The full-back delivered to the far post where Cisse was unmarked but the front man sent his volley down into the turf, making it easier for Bunn to collect as it looped up towards the far top corner.

The first half finished without incident but the second period started with a bang - and a great chance for Newcastle to break the deadlock.

Less than 45 seconds had elapsed when Aston Villa failed to clear their lines from Townsend's low cross from the right, and although the ball found its way to Colback 15 yards out, the midfielder slammed his first time strike over the bar.

Aleksandar Mitrovic was introduced from the substitutes' bench in the 52nd minute, and the Serbian striker had a glorious opening within minutes of his arrival.

Townsend's inswinging free-kick was cleared, but only as far as Cheick Tiote, who hooked it back into the danger zone. As Villa pushed out, Mitrovic beat the offside trap but, with just Bunn to beat, lobbed the bouncing ball onto the roof of the net.

Spanish forward Ayoze Perez was the next player to enter the fray, in place of Tiote, as United went in search of a breakthrough.

And it almost came from Wijnaldum, who pulled the trigger from the edge of the area with a low effort that Bunn parried before it was scrambled clear.

Mitrovic was next to try his luck in the 74th minute, rising brilliantly to meet Paul Dummett's deep cross, but sending his header back across goal and agonisingly inches off target.

Siem de Jong was brought on as the game ticked into six minutes of added-on time but Newcastle were unable to find a winner and dropped back into the relegation zone as a result of Sunderland's win over Chelsea.

Aston Villa (5-3-2): Mark Bunn; Alan Hutton, Leandro Bacuna, Joleon Lescott (c), Ciaran Clark, Kevin Toner; Ashley Westwood, Carlos Sanchez, Idrissa Gueye; Jordan Ayew, Scott Sinclair (Rushian Hepburn-Murphy 90)

Subs not used: Brad Guzan, Micah Richards, Jordan Lyden, Carles Gil, Jack Grealish, Adama Traore

Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Karl Darlow; Vurnon Anita, Chancel Mbemba, Jamaal Lascelles, Paul Dummett; Cheick Tiote (Ayoze Perez 67), Jack Colback (Siem de Jong 90); Andros Townsend, Moussa Sissoko (c), Georginio Wijnaldum; Papiss Cisse (Aleksandar Mitrovic 52)

Subs not used: Freddie Woodman, Daryl Janmaat, Steven Taylor, Jonjo Shelvey

Referee: Robert Madley (West Yorkshire)

Bookings: Aston Villa - Clark (60); Newcastle - Dummett (90)

Attendance: 33,855 (2,900 Newcastle)