23 mins Feeney shot. 0-1

Half time: Magpies 0 Villans 1

49 mins Frith shot. 0-2

Full time: Magpies 0 Villans 2

United's second string returned to action after their festive break on Monday night with a flat display that did nothing to warm a sparse crowd at a chilly Whitley Park.

Overseen by Ben Dawson following the departure of coach Elliot Dickman, it took the hosts over an hour to force visiting custodian Oli Zych into action.

That 71st minute shot from substitute Isaac Westendorf came with Villa already two goals ahead, although the visitors weren't particularly impressive themselves.

Villa had opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, Josh Feeney latching on to a loose ball in the United box and powering it into the net.

And that lead was doubled four minutes after the break when home 'keeper Max Thompson mis-controlled a back pass and Declan Frith side-stepped him to fire home.

United's Jamie Miley had a low shot on target five minutes from the end after a free kick was rolled to him, but that was an easy take for Zych.

PS: A rather more exciting PL2 contest took place at the same time in deepest Durham; the mackems beaten 5-7 by Boro at Eppleton.

Three points for the smogettes took them above Newcastle (in addition to Villa), the Magpies dropping down to eighth, or fourth bottom in old money.

Biffa