Joe White's drilled strike, his first goal of the season at second-string level, opened the scoring for the young Magpies at the Bodymoor Heath Training Ground before Ruben Shakpoke's close-range finish levelled the Division Two clash on the stroke of half-time.

Josh Scott restored Newcastle's advantage before the hour mark before the visitors, who suffered a double injury blow with Lewis Miley and Dylan Stephenson forced to withdraw, held firm to record a third win in their last four league fixtures.

Elliott Dickman made three changes from the side which claimed a 1-1 draw against their Boro counterparts a fortnight ago, with 16-year-old attacking midfielder Lewis Miley - who made his England under-17s debut in August 2022 - making his first start for United's under-21 side after making his second-string bow as a second-half substitute against Doncaster Rovers in the Papa John's Trophy, partnering older brother Jamie in the middle of the park.

Scottish goalkeeper Jude Smith - who joined the Magpies from Scottish League Two side East Fife in August - returned to the starting eleven whilst Harry Barclay was handed his first start of the season at under-21 level, featuring at right-back.

Newcastle's youngsters were aiming to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League 2 to four matches as well as recording a first away win of the 2022/23 campaign.

With Newcastle Sporting Director, Dan Ashworth in attendance, Jay Turner-Cooke went close to scoring for the visitors in emphatic fashion as the 18-year-old attacking midfielder won possession before the attacking midfielder's first-time drive from the edge of the box cannoned off the crossbar.

In the 23rd minute, White completed a fine attacking move to net the opening goal of the afternoon. Following neat build-up play from Josh Scott and Matt Bondswell, the latter supplied a dangerous path into White's path inside the penalty area, who fired a powerful effort past Villa goalkeeper Josh Lane. 

Shortly after taking the lead, Smith was on hand to deny Shakpoke after the physical Villa frontman had beat the offside trap before advancing towards goal but the striker's shot from a tight angle was beaten away by the 19-year-old Scotsman.

With five additional minutes before the half-time whistle, Villa equalised in the final stages through Shakpoke as the ball landed kindly into the 18-year-old's path, following Chisom Afoka's dangerous cross from the left wing, before lashing the loose ball beyond Smith. 

In the second-half, Newcastle defender Niall Brookwell - who joined the Magpies' youth set-up from Liverpool in the summer of 2021 - produced a crucial block to turn Declan Frith's goalbound attempt over for a corner.

White went close to restoring United's one-goal cushion as the Carlisle-born midfielder attempted a long-range effort, forcing Lane to push away the 19-year-old's curling strike.

In the 59th minute, Scott continued his bright goalscoring form after netting his third league goal in as many league matches at second-string level. After Turner-Cooke's initial shot was parried by Lane, the Gateshead-born teenager was on hand to prod the ball into the net from inside the six-yard area.

Newcastle continued to defend courageously in the closing stages, with Smith preventing Tommi O'Reilly from equalising after holding the forward's bending shot from the edge of the box.

Newcastle were fortunate to remain ahead in the final stages as Villa substitute Kobei Moore raced through on goal but the 17-year-old was unable to hit the target as his shot flew wide of the target.

Charlie Wiggett, who joined United's Academy from Chelsea in the summer of 2021, produced a heroic last-ditch clearance to prevent Moore as the Reading-born defender managed to turn the loose ball away for a corner.

United's second-string withheld a late surge from their Villans counterparts to register a first Premier League 2 away win of the campaign and move within three points of the Premier League 2 Division Two play-off spots.

Newcastle United Under-21s: Jude Smith, Harry Barclay, Niall Brookwell, Alex Murphy (c), Matt Bondswell (Jordan Hackett 46), Jamie Miley, Jay Turner-Cooke, Joe White (Nathan Carlyon 60), Josh Scott, Lewis Miley (Michael Ndiweni 19), Dylan Stephenson (Charlie Wiggett 66).

Subs not used: Will Brown.