After Newcastle goalkeeper Will Brown produced a number of impressive saves in the opening 45 minutes at Whitley Park, United's youngsters broke the deadlock shortly after the hour mark through Isaac Westendorf's composed finish.

Substitute Cameron Ferguson doubled the hosts' advantage within a minute of his introduction from the bench after slotting home from close-range following Adam Wilson's low cross.

The victory lifts Newcastle's second-string into the Division Two play-off places, leapfrogging their Villans counterparts into fourth spot on 26 points. 

Four changes were made to the side which suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest last week as Westendorf, who joined the Magpies on an 18-month contract last week after scoring two goals in four trial games in October, was handed his first start at under-23 level.

Jay Turner-Cooke, who had scored five times in his last seven outings at second-string level, was named in the starting line-up along with right-back Joe Oliver and forward Dylan Stephenson, who has registered 13 goals for United's under-23 side so far this term.

Newcastle's youngsters created the first goalscoring opportunity within the opening 60 seconds as Turner-Cooke, who joined the Magpies' Academy from Sunderland in January 2021, fired an audacious half volley from distance but the effort was comfortably held by Villa goalkeeper Oliwier Zych.

United shot-stopper Will Brown, who joined the Magpies' youth set-up at the age of 13, was forced into action as the 20-year-old brilliantly denied Brad Young's drilled shot, who had beaten the offside trap before racing through on goal.

Brown prevented Young once more minutes later after blocking the 19-year-old's low drive before the ball was cleared to safety.

The hosts faced further attacking threat from their West Midlands opponents as left-back Finley Munroe's fierce low effort clipped the foot of the right-hand post before Brown was on hand to deny Young for a third time minutes later, getting down low to push away the teenage striker's goal bound strike.

Newcastle went close to breaking the deadlock as Stephenson, who signed his first professional contract with his boyhood club last summer, advanced into the box before his powerful effort was parried into Westendorf's path by Zych but the physical forward was unable to make strong contact for the rebound.

With the half-time whistle approaching, the young Magpies went agonisingly close to opening the scoring as Stephenson drove into the penalty area from the right wing before his shot clipped the outside of the right-hand post.

Brown produced another vital stop in the dying minutes of the first-half, pushing away Kahrel Reddin's ferocious volley from the edge of the box before Oliver cleared Josh Feeney's header off the line from the resulting corner.

In the second-half, Adam Wilson went close to registering his third goal of the 2021/22 campaign. After Turner-Cooke's corner was only half cleared by the Villa defence, the 22-year-old's strike from the edge of the penalty area stung the palms of Zych.

In the 63rd minute, Newcastle broke the deadlock through Westendorf. After the 19-year-old striker latched onto Charlie Wiggett's neat through ball, the forward advanced into the penalty area before directing the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.

In the 70th minute, United extended their lead through Ferguson, the forward's third goal in his previous five competitive matches. The Liverpool-born striker, son of former Magpies striker Duncan, was alert inside the box to tuck Wilson's inviting cross into the net.

Lucas De Bolle, who netted his first goal at under-23 level in a 2-1 Premier League Cup victory over Watford last month, went close to adding gloss to the scoreline in the closing stages as the midfielder's shot, following a lengthy run, was turned around the post by Zych.

Newcastle United Under-23s face an away trip to Burnley in their upcoming Premier League 2 fixture on Monday, 7th February (kick-off 7pm GMT), with the Division Two encounter taking place at Lancashire FA Training Ground.

Newcastle United Under-23s: Will Brown, Joe Oliver (Trialist A 72), Niall Brookwell (c), Charlie Wiggett, Josh Scott, Nathan Carlyon, Lucas De Bolle, Dylan Stephenson, Adam Wilson (Trialist B 90), Jay Turner-Cooke, Isaac Westendorf (Cameron Ferguson 68). 

Subs not used: Jake Turner.