ENGLAND Under-21 striker Darius Vassell ended a personal goal drought as the best-laid plans of Newcastle boss Bobby Robson came unstuck with disastrous consequences at Villa Park.

Vassell's first goal for over two years was enough to extinguish United's FA Cup hopes and leave them with nothing more this season than a desperate chase for a place in Europe.

It was agony for Robson, who led his side to a semi-final defeat by Chelsea at Wembley last term, as his attempt to shackle the dangerous Vassell rebounded.

Warren Barton, a half-time replacement for Gary Speed, was deployed to man-mark Vassell.

But when former Middlesbrough star Paul Merson centred from the right in the 50th minute, Barton allowed the ball to go over his head and Vassell finished first time with an effort which looped beyond keeper Steve Harper into the far corner.

United, however, should have levelled 13 minutes later when Andy Griffin released Kevin Gallacher.

The Scot looked a certain scorer when he brought the ball under control, but Villa keeper David James showed lightning reactions to save at Gallacher's feet as the striker tried go round him.

Defender Alain Goma and Argentinian striker Daniel Cordone, a 71st-minute substitute for the tired Gallacher, both brought late saves from James. But Villa were the dominant force and the Magpies, who came from behind in the first instalment of this third-round tie, could have no complaints about the outcome, which gives Villa a home clash with Midlands rivals Leicester.

Former United star David Ginola was left in no doubt that he faces a fight to save his Villa career when manager John Gregory dumped him on the substitutes' bench.

The moody Frenchman had been publicly rebuked by his boss following a lacklustre performance, which saw him hauled off at half-time in last weekend's 3-0 home drubbing at the hands of Liverpool.

Newcastle, with whom Ginola spent an exciting if turbulent two-year spell, arrived at Villa Park more in hope than expectation, with inspirational pair Kieron Dyer and Nolberto Solano suspended and the likes of Alan Shearer, Carl Cort and Robert Lee all out injured.

It made the return of Gallacher, after over 12 weeks out with calf and hamstring trouble, all the more important.

Stephen Glass was also re-introduced for his first start in more than four months, but the winger soon found himself pressed into defensive duties as Villa laid siege to the United goal in an impressive opening by the home side.

As early as the tenth minute they struck the woodwork when Lee Hendrie's left-wing free-kick was knocked down by Alpay and Vassell's drive was deflected on to the near post by keeper Steve Harper.

The danger wasn't over, however, and Vassell reacted first again, only to see his follow-up headed off the line by Aaron Hughes.

Merson then drifted an effort into the side-netting before Harper was tested once more.

Vassell sweetly swept the ball in from the right and Dion Dublin held off two defenders to force a shot which brought a low save from Harper.

United's three-man central defence, with injury-plagued Spaniard Marcelino recalled to partner Hughes and Alain Goma, was being stretched by Villa's penetrating breaks.

And Vassell's voracious appetite for the ball showed no sign of abating as he ran down the right before displaying some fancy footwork to cut inside and strike a left-foot shot which was too straight to seriously trouble Harper, who got his body behind it.

Merson fired wide from Vassell's lay-off in the 31st minute and soon afterwards Christian Bassedas was booked for a needless handball offence.

With James a virtual spectator, the Magpies were forced to perform an uncomfortable rearguard action.

And Harper didn't know much about it when Geordie Steve Stone - Villa's scorer in the first game at St. James' Park ten days earlier - brushed past Glass to see his close-range finish hit the keeper's right arm.

Gareth Southgate's hopes of impressing the watching Sven-Goran Eriksson were dashed when the England defender was helped off with an injury just before half-time.

But the enforced change at least offered England teammate Gareth Barry an opportunity to catch the eye of the new national boss.

Newcastle had to make a change of their own at the interval when midfielder Speed, who came off before half-time in the first encounter with a virus, failed to reappear.

Barton took over and was given the job of policing Vassell, with Hughes being pushed into midfield.

But Robson's ploy backfired when Barton was found wanting - and Vassell's long wait was over.

Villa should have doubled their lead on the hour when Hendrie fed the ball through to George Boateng, who spurned a great opening as he slipped his shot wide of the far post.

But, with Robson having reorganised again, switching to a flat back-four, Newcastle saw their best chance go begging when James was too quick for Gallacher