Martin O'Neill's Villa side produced a sparkling second half performance to earn a 4-1 victory over Newcastle - with John Carew scoring a hat-trick.

Villa trailed at the break after a Michael Owen glancing header but two goals in two minutes hauled O'Neill's men back on course.

Wilfred Bouma scored his first goal in claret and blue when his right footed effort squeezed past Shay Given before Carew glanced a header home.

The giant Norwegian scored his second of the day with another superb header, after a spot of pinball in the box, before firing home from the spot to earn his hat-trick.

Maloney showed great strength to outmuscle Cacapa in the second minute and managed to get the ball under control before passing to Petrov. The Bulgarian's shot went wide but it was promising for Villa.

Owen opened the scoring for Newcastle on four minutes with a glancing header at the near post.

Villa were terribly unlucky not to score when Barry's half volley ricocheted back to Given on 15 as Martin O'Neill's men upped the tempo.

Barton fired in a low effort on 17 but Carson gathered comfortably with Owen ready to pounce.

Villa's penalty appeals were turned down as Young went down in the box on 23 after a tackle from Beye.

Maloney's 20 yard free kick only just glanced over Given's bar on 26 after Carew had earned the decision.

Barry's right-footed scissor kick went wide after good build-up play from Young and Bouma down the left had created the opening on 27.

Carson produced a good punch to clear the danger on 32 as Milner swung in a good corner.

Mellberg's shot at the far post deflected over the bar a minute later as Villa exerted pressure on the Newcastle defence.

Carew's header from close range was brilliantly saved by Given as the Norwegian had the goal at his mercy on 41.

Gardner and Harewood replaced Mellberg and Petrov respectively as O'Neill made immediate changes.at the break.

Bouma opened his Villa account as his right footed effort flew past Given on 48.

Carew made it 2-1 with a glancing header that beat Given on 50 after a super delivery from Young.

Harper replaced Given in the Newcastle goal on 53.

Carew had another great chance on 54 but his glancing header flew just wide.

Barry had a right footed effort saved comfortably by Harper on 60 after a good delivery from Bouma.

Harewood did brilliantly to fashion an opening on 64 when he waited and waited before firing a shot from a difficult angle on the byline that Harper did well to save.

Gardner produced two rockets in the space of a minute but both were somehow kept out.

Carew made up for it in the 71st minute when his glancing header found the net, after a spot of pinball in the box.

Emre replaced Barton on 73.

Harewood was at his brilliant best on 88 as he glided past Carr before receiving one-two from Carew but Capaca got to the flick on before him.

Villa earned a penalty for a handball and Carew made no mistake with the spot-kick, blasting it home for his hat-trick.

Osbourne replaced Young on 90.

VILLA: Carson; Mellberg (Gardner, HT), Laursen, Davies, Bouma; Petrov (Harewood, HT), Reo-Coker BOOKED, Barry, Young (Osbourne, 90); Maloney, Carew BOOKED. Subs: Harewood, Osbourne, Gardner, Taylor, Knight.

Newcastle: Given (Harper, 53), Carr, Cacapa, Barton (Emre, 73), Owen, Duff, Milner, Smith, Beye, Butt BOOKED, Taylor. Subs: Harper, Enrique, Emre, Faye, Viduka.

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