Ghana striker Jordan Ayew scored a crucial goal to deny Newcastle United a home win and steal a point for under-performing Aston Villa at the St. James' Park on Saturday evening.

The 24-year-old struck just after the hour mark to cancel out Fabricio Coloccini first-half opener for the hosts.

Jordan Ayew collected a Veretout cross, cut back and scored from a rasping shot which beat Rob Elliot - the Newcastle goalkeeper.

Villa, without a Premier League win since the opening game of the season, remain 10 points from safety.

Jordan had two shots on target, scoring from one of them, and played one key pass against Newcastle and was voted Man-of-the-Match.

The former Olympique Marseille had gone seven games without scoring at the start of the season but, having been employed in a more central role recently, he has scored four goals in his last eight games.