David Ginola threw a tantrum as Aston Villa's season ended in bitter defeat on Saturday.

Back at the ground he used to grace, the Frenchman reacted angrily to being substituted in the first half.

As George Boateng waited patiently to replace him, Ginola walked slowly off the pitch with a look of disbelief.

He then remonstrated with manager John Gregory before heading down the tunnel to the dressing room.

Whether the Villa fans have seen the last of him remains to be seen.

But Ginola, now 34, has hardly lit up the club following his £3million move from Tottenham in the summer.

He has always seemed to be on the fringe of things rather than be a pivotal player and Gregory's patience may have run out.

Newcastle made a blistering start and had the match sewn up inside the first 13 minutes when they took a two-goal lead.

But both sides were reduced to 10 men with seven minutes remaining when Gary Speed of Newcastle and Ian Taylor of Villa jostled near the centre circle.

Newcastle took the lead after nine minutes following a good build-up. Kevin Gallacher nodded the ball out to Nolberto Solano and his well-flighted cross was met by Stephen Glass.

The Scotland midfielder powered in a shot that keeper David James got a hand to but couldn't prevent going over the line. Villa were again exposed in the 13th minute when Newcastle added a second goal.

Solano was again allowed time and space to deliver a cross from the right and Carl Cort headed home. Newcastle pressed forward in the 20th minute and James did well to tip away a header from Speed at the foot of the post following a cross from skipper Warren Barton.

Villa were struggling to get into the game. Ginola tried to get them going but was jeered by the home fans every time he touched the ball.

Newcastle were being allowed to dictate the play on the flanks as Gregory looked on anxiously. The Newcastle supporters were in full voice and the team responded with some good football.

Solano was at the heart of everything positive in the first half and unlucky to see a sweetly-struck shot go wide of the post after Glass had delivered the cross.

Villa were again forced back before half time when James turned away a downward header from Cort then reacted quickly to foil Gallacher. Ginola was becoming increasingly frustrated and was booked for dissent by referee Barry Knight. His frustration turned to anger when he was replaced by George Boateng before the break.

Villa manager Gregory, deeply disappointed with the way his team had played in the first half, switched things around up front. He brought on Dion Dublin for the ineffective Darius Vassell.

Newcastle looked to be content to sit on their lead and started the second half without any real urgency. Villa began to press forward and Ian Taylor tried his luck from 20 yards out only to send his shot wide.

Then Paul Merson released Dublin but he hurried his shot and mis-directed it from a tight angle.

Newcastle stepped up the pace and Cort picked out Solano, who dragged his effort across the face of the goal. Newcastle made it 3-0 after 75 minutes and it was a moment of misery for defender Mark Delaney.

He turned a cross from sub Shola Ameobi beyond James and into his own net. Then Speed and Taylor were dismissed by referee Barry Knight as Newcastle finished on a winning note.

Teams

Newcastle: Given, Barton, O'Brien, Dabizas, Hughes, Solano (Lua-Lua 85), Bassedas, Speed, Glass (Quinn 78), Gallacher (Ameobi 71), Cort.

Subs Not Used: Harper, McClen.

Sent Off: Speed (84).

Goals: Glass 9, Cort 13, Delaney 74 og.

Aston Villa: James, Delaney, Wright, Southgate, Alpay, Hendrie, Taylor, Ginola (Boateng 42), Merson, Angel (Stone 64), Vassell (Dublin 45).

Subs Not Used: Staunton, Enckelman.

Sent Off: Taylor (84).

Booked: Delaney, Ginola, Southgate, Boateng, Alpay.

Att: 51,506

Ref: B Knight (Orpington).