After conceding the penalty early in the first half a lot of Newcastle fans probably feared the worst. Newcastle have thrown away strong positions far too many times this season. In seven of their matches this season they have lead at some point and failed to pick up all three points. With the memory of conceding a lead as recent as Reading fresh in their memories they will have been determined to hold on. Hold on they did, Newcastle scrapped and fought and put everything on the line for their team. They may have relied on Krul at times but towards the end Villa never properly threatened to get the crucial equaliser and that will be music to the ears of the Toon Army. There is sure to be a lot of pressure on Newcastles defence this season but this will be a huge lift as they go in to the last fourteen matches, they will know that they can defend well as a unit and help pick up vital clean sheets. With a solid looking back four of Debuchy, Taylor, Coloccini and Santon this stability is welcomed by any team. With the likes of Mike Williamson, new boys Mbiwa and Haidara and Danny Simpson in reserve, things look much brighter defensively for Newcastle United.