ASTON VILLA struck late on at St James’ Park to deny a fatigued Newcastle United a second win in a week, but a 1-1 draw wasn’t enough for them to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone.

The match was decided after Steve Bruce and Dean Smith rang the changes in the second half. Dwight Gayle scored minutes after coming on for Magpies, before Ahmed Elmohamady, whom the Newcastle boss has signed three times during his career, headed home an equaliser.

Bruce joked that he shouldn’t have brought him to Sunderland, before reuniting with him at Hull City and Villa, after he denied him three points against his former club, but remained philosophical about the result.