NEWCASTLE suffered their third successive League defeat at Villa Park yesterday as the home side retrieved a poor first half performance with two goals in a minute In the second half. Wright, Newcastle United's successor to Beasant, made a confident start to his league career. The 25-year-old Ulsterman passed his first test after nine minutes when he dived to turn a header from Mountfield round a post. Newcastle were happy to pass the ball back to Wright at the first sign of danger, but they went ahead after 28 minutes with a penalty by Mirandinha. The Brazilian scored his first league goal since October after Villa skipper Gray had brought down Wharton. Villa equalised after 36 minutes when Newcastle were punished for their caution. Gray intercepted a pass across the penalty area from O'Brien and calmly placed a right foot shot wide of Wright for his fourth goal of the season. Mirandinha and Ranson were booked before Newcastle fell apart by conceding two goals in two minutes. Daley ran clear after 61 minutes to put Villa in front and then Mclnally scored his 21st goal of the season from a pass by substitute Olney. The two goals set up Villa for a comprehensive win which compensated for a below-par first-half performance.