Kevin Keegan's search for victory continued today as Aston Villa ran riot at Villa Park.

A Michael Owen goal had started the day in fine style for KK and United but Carew’s second half hat-trick helped seal the points for Villa.

Toon chairman Chris Mort took his place in the stands for the clash with the Villains with the St James’s Park chief flanked by executive directors Dennis Wise and Tony Jimenez.

KK confirmed after the game that Nigel Pearson resigned from his role as coach.

And it is understood that reserve team coach Adam Sadler will be promoted to first team bench duty with a replacement second string gaffer expected.

Meanwhile KK handed Habib Beye a start on his return from the African Cup of Nations with the former Marseille skipper taking up his usual place at right-back.

And despite shaking off a calf injury Jose Enrique was named as sub with Stephen Carr switched to the left hand side of the back four.

With Emre relegated to the bench and Charles N’Zogbia suspended Keegan recalled former Villa favourite James Milner returned to the starting XI.

And with four minutes played it was Milner’s first significant contribution of the day that gave Newcastle an early lead.

A swirling cross from the left into the six-yard box found Owen who then directed a stooping header beyond Scott Carson to help the United star bounce back from the disappointment of being left out by England in midweek.

United survived a scare on the 15 minute mark when a Wilfred Bouma effort took a deflection to catch out Shay Given but the Toon keeper was equal to it at the second attempt.

Five minutes later and Barton crashed in a low shot but England stopper Carson held on to deny the former Man City star.

With four minutes left of the first half United were indebted to Given when he produced a two handed save low down after John Carew headed Ashley Young’s set-piece dangerously towards goal.

The two sides went in level at the break but United were stunned by two goals in a minute at the start of the second period with Villa buoyed by a double substitution at the break.

Just three minutes in, Villa’s bright start paid off as Bouma’s deflected daisy-cutter found a way past Given with the Eire stopper rooted to the spot.

Two minutes later and Villa snatched the lead after a Young corner picked out Carew in the six-yard box and the Norwegian’s back header went in off a post for 2-1.

United were then rocked by an injury to Given on 54 minutes with Steve Harper taking his place between the sticks.

With 20 minutes to go Harper was tested to the limit by sub Gardner when he kept out a sizzling shot low down as he turned the effort round the post.

Seconds later he denied the Villa ace Gardner again with a great one handed save but the home side soon extended their lead.

From the resultant corner United failed to clear and Carew pounced to make it 3-1 from close range.

In the dying stages Newcastle defender Carr handballed to earn Villa penalty to give Carew the chance to score his hat-trick.

And the big Norwegian made no mistake as he blasted the ball down the middle to pile on the agony for United and the travelling Toon Army.