Magpies can not handle Villa bullies

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The Magpies had looked as if they were on their way to a first win since Keegan returned after Michael Owen had struck for the second time in two games, but their defence found the physical presence of Carew and substitute Marlon Harewood impossible to counter during the second 45 minutes.

After the 4-1 defeat, Keegan said: "I had no complaints about the first half at all. I said to the players we had built a good platform from which to go on and win a football match. Before you knew it, we were getting bullied, especially by Carew and Harewood, and they were basically doing what they wanted to do with us at times."

He added: "Instead of going a goal down like we have been doing in most recent games, we went in front and handled everything Villa threw at us," he added. "I impressed at half-time on the players the importance of the opening 15 minutes of the second half and picking up where we left off.

"We were unlucky with Villa's first goal which took a deflection and even then Shay Given would have saved it if he hadn't slipped and pulled his groin.

"You want to see how the players were going to respond after that and that was the most disappointing aspect."

Villa boss O'Neill was delighted with Villa's second half showing but believes Carew can produce the same sort of performance on a more consistent basis.

He said: "John showed in the second half the kind of form he is capable of. He was unplayable during that time.

"He has fitted in really well here, been excellent in the dressing room and I have been pleased with him but he can do even better. What I would look for from John is to get more a consistency from him."