Last-gasp Remy returns with a bang as Newcastle end home hoodoo

Premier League, St James' Park - Newcastle 1 (Remy 90+3) Aston Villa 0.

Loic Remy marked his return from suspension in style as his last-gasp winner brought an end to Newcastle's home hoodoo with a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.

The Frenchman wriggled into space in the area deep into injury time and lashed home his 12th of the season as the Magpies halted a run of five straight defeats at St James' Park.

It was no more than Alan Pardew's side deserved as they bossed an end-to-end encounter and carved out the better opportunities.

The hosts made a fast start and Remy, returning from a three-match ban, tested Brad Guzan inside three minutes with a rasping low drive.

However, Villa were a menace on the counter attack with Gabriel Agbonlahor in particular going close with a couple of blistering shots from distance.

Newcastle stepped it up again soon after and should have gone ahead in first-half stoppage time, but Papiss Cisse somehow crashed his shot over the bar after Remy had picked him out eight yards from goal.

The hosts pushed for a winner in the second half and went close through Yoan Gouffran and Paul Dummett, before triumphing in a thrilling finale.

First, they were denied a clear-cut penalty when Leandro Bacuna handled in the area and then Remy fired a sitter against the post after a mix-up had presented him with what seemed like a tap-in.

But the Magpies weren't to be denied and Remy struck on 93 minutes to send the home crowd into raptures.

KEY MOMENTS

PRE-MATCH: Key trio start for Magpies - Newcastle are given a lift by the return of three star players. Top scorer, Remy is thrown straight into the starting XI after serving a three-match ban while Fabricio Coloccini and Cheick Tiote are back from injury.

3' EARLY CHANCE - Tiote wins the ball off Fabian Delph deep in Villa territory and feeds Remy on the edge of the box. The Frenchman doesn't need asking twice and fizzes in a low shot that Brad Guzan does well to hold down to his right.

21' CLOSE! - Agbonlahor is given too much space 25 yards from goal and unleashes a thumping shot that arrows inches over the bar.

44' JUST WIDE! - Remy steps up and curls a 25-yard free-kick inches past Guzan's left-hand post. A good effort from the Frenchman.

45+2' WHAT A MISS! - Remy races onto a clever reverse pass on the left side of the area and unselfishly puts it on a plate for Cisse who contrives to blaze over from eight yards out.

55' JUST WIDE! - Sissoko causes havoc down the left and teases a pass into Remy whose back heel eventually makes its way to Gouffran, but his low shot sizzles past the far post.

64' QUICKFIRE CHANCES! - Dummett nods down to Sissoko and then picks up the return pass before arcing a powerful effort just over the top. And seconds later Gouffran lashes over on the volley from just inside the area.

80' END TO END! Benteke fails to put Agbonlahor clear in a three on two situation, allowing Newcastle to launch their own counter. Remy leads the charge and drills in a shot that Guzan is forced to beat away at his near post.

81' PENALTY SHOUT! Coloccini chases a loose ball in the area and as Bacuna tries to clear it definitely strikes his hand. But the ref says no spot kick. Big call.

88' OFF THE POST! A huge error from Vlaar sees de Jong win the ball in the area and tee up Remy whose shot smashes against the far post. Big miss.

90+3' - GOAL: Newcastle 1-0 Aston Villa. Remy finds space in the area, turns his man and lashes high into the net! Surely that is the winner now as St James' Park erupts.

TALKING POINT: Where would Newcastle be without Remy? The Geordies have struggled for goals in recent weeks and it's no surprise that Remy returned as the match winner. The France star has notched 12 goals already this term and will surely be a player some of the top clubs will look at in the summer if he looks to move on from QPR.

KEY STATS.

Newcastle United scored their first Premier League goal in 7 hours 30 minutes.

Alan Pardew's men have completed the league double over Villa for the first time since the 1997-98 season.

Villa have won just twice in the last 13 games.

(Stats courtesy of Opta Joe)

MAN OF THE MATCH

Loic Remy (Newcastle): The striker was a constant threat throughout and shrugged off a glaring miss when he struck the post two minutes from the whistle, to thump home a dramatic winner in stoppage time.

PLAYER RATINGS -

NEWCASTLE: Krul 7, Debuchy 7, Williamson 6, Coloccini 6, Dummett 7, Sissoko 7, Tiote 7, Anita 6, Gouffran 6, Remy 8, Cisse 5. Subs: de Jong 6, Gosling 5.

VILLA: Guzan 7, Bacuna 7, Vlaar 6, Baker 6, Bertrand 6, Westwood 7, Delph 6, El Ahmadi 6, Weimann 6, Benteke 6, Agbonlahor 7. Subs: Sylla 6, Bennett 5.