Aston Villa 1-0 Newcastle: Newcastle Relegated

by agdobson | May 24, 2009 at 09:51 am

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Newcastle United have been relegated to the Championship after 16 years in the top flight, losing 1-0 to Aston Villa, Middlesborough were also relegated, with Hull just managing to stay up despite losing to Manchester United. Newcastle can now look forward to playing the likes of Peterborough next season.

Newcastle United's 16-year stay in the top flight ended in the tamest fashion possible as they dropped into the Championship with defeat at Aston Villa.

Damien Duff's unfortunate own goal - deflecting in Gareth Barry's 20-yard shot seven minutes before the interval - ensured Alan Shearer's mission to save Newcastle from relegation ended in devastating failure.

Newcastle's performance was a prime exhibit of why they have failed to survive this season, lacking any fire and urgency despite the scale of the prize on offer if they escaped.