Lethal Shearer provides the missing ingredient

Alan Shearer will be suspended for Newcastle's trip to Barcelona this week, but yesterday lived up to Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin's claim that he is still the best goalscorer in Britain as he headed a late winner for Bobby Robson's side.

Shearer had worked tirelessly for little tangible reward for the majority of the game but when his first chance presented itself, he made no mistake with a trademark close range header.

It was his 12th goal of the campaign and earned Newcastle only their second Premiership win away from St James' Park.

Villa had scored 12 goals in their last three home matches but their previous failings in front of the posts returned in the opening 45 minutes.

Dion Dublin and Darius Vassell were guilty of squandering the type of chances that have to be taken at Premiership level, but in addition the Magpies' goalkeeper Shay Given was also in commanding form on his 200th appearance for the club.

Newcastle looked to have defensive problems that will need to be addressed before Tuesday's Champions League encounter in Barcelona.

But in the second half Bobby Robson's side came more into the game as Laurent Robert woke from his slumbers and was a constant menace with his surges towards the Villa goal.

Villa were quickly into their stride and within 90 seconds Dublin got on the end of a cross from the recalled Ulises de la Cruz but sent his volley straight at Given.

The Newcastle keeper tipped over a swerving effort from Gareth Barry and spared Andy O'Brien's blushes when he raced out to thwart Darius Vassell who had seized onto a mis–hit back pass.

Vassell will feel he should have done better with a close range effort which he put wide after Newcastle had failed to clear a long throw from De la Cruz.

Given was again well positioned to cling onto a powerful low shot from Lee Hendrie which seemed destined for the corner of the net.

Newcastle briefly threatened and Villa keeper Peter Enckelman did well to turn away a left–footed attempt by Kieron Dyer after he had cut in to the box.

But he was relieved to see Craig Bellamy stab the ball wide with the goal at his mercy after he had failed to hold onto a straightforward looking cross from Nolberto Solano.

Villa were soon back into their stride and Thomas Hitzlsperger was inches wide from 25 yards out while Given again rescued his side after Dyer's back pass had only found Gareth Barry.

He aved at the feet of the England Under–21 skipper who shortly afterwards limped out of the action to be replaced by Mark Kinsella.

Villa continued to press forward and Dublin should have at least tested Given with a header from six yards out after he had flung himself forward to get onto the end of a right–wing cross from Oyvind Leonhardsen, but the ball looped wide.

The play followed a similar pattern after the break and Given had to hack clear at full stretch to deal with a back–pass from O'Brien after Dublin had flicked a header into the path of Hendrie.

Enckelman was called upon to make a rare save away to his right to cling onto an attempt from Jermaine Jenas but it was comfortable enough for the Villa 'keeper to deal with.

But Robert failed to hit the target after dispossessing Oyvind Leonhardsen and his shot drifted wide.

Villa were soon back on the offensive and Given managed to grab onto a rising shot from Vassell at the second attempt just as Dublin was about to pounce.

But Robert was starting to make his presence felt and Enckelman was twice called upon to thwart his powerful strikes.

Villa defender Ronny Johnsen became the first player to be yellow–carded after 68 minutes for a challenge on Bellamy.

Graham Taylor brought on Juan Pablo Angel for Dublin and he almost made an instant impact with a header which thudded against the bar from a Hendrie header.

But then with eight minutes left Mark Kinsella failed to prevent Andy Griffin from getting in his cross – and Shearer rose above De La Cruz to head home.

Aston Villa 0 Newcastle United 1
Shearer 82

Half-time: 0-0 Attendance: 33,446