Not exactly one for the résumé: An instant reaction to Newcastle United 1, Aston Villa 0

When we write these Instant Reactions, we'll typically try to grab some meaning from the result. A loss means things need to change. A win means perhaps we had a good day. During the first few moments after a match, emotions are raw, and we say reactionary things. This time, though, I'm left at a loss for words. This match said much more about Aston Villa, a team likely headed for relegation, than it ever could about Newcastle United.

If there's one thing we can say, perhaps it's this: We have Papiss Cissé, and they don't.

This was hardly a clinical performance. If John Carver has any sense, he won't put it in his résumé tape. A better opponent would have punished the many, many defensive miscues, wouldn't have allowed Newcastle to break on the counter like they did, and wouldn't have gifted so many free kicks in their own defensive third.

This was an undeserved three points, but maybe it wasn't all bad. It is a result, after all, and it helps that we found out that Ryan Taylor can still play at the Premier League level. He will have to, if Massadio Haïdara's injury is at all serious. It was also nice that Ayoze Perez, who has been visibly exhausted in his last few matches, got a rest, and that Emmanuel Rivière was serviceable in his place.

Mostly, I'm just glad that Papiss Cissé is wearing the number nine shirt.