Newcastle United defender Sven Botman was lucky not to be shown a red card in the first half against Aston Villa on Saturday evening, having landed a heavy challenge on Villans forward Nicolas Jackson.

Matthias Jaissle's side fell to a 1-0 defeat at St James' Park, turning in another frustrating performance just five days after receiving a 4-1 drubbing at Coventry City.

The Magpies lacked intensity in front of a home crowd and were sloppy on the ball, especially just 20 minutes into the match.

Nicolas Jackson: Botman tackle 'nearly broke my leg'

It was a feisty meeting between Newcastle United and Aston Villa, and the physical nature of the contest became apparent with 20 minutes on the clock. Joelinton initially leapt into a two-footed tackle on Johan Manzambi just seconds before Sven Botman went flying into Jackson.

Both players were shown a yellow card and VAR pored over the Botman challenge to enquire whether it constituted serious foul play. The centre-back got away with just a yellow card, but Jackson was still unimpressed with the tackle after the game.

Jackson completed the full 90 minutes at St James' Park but was asked if the tackle had left any marks as he collected the Player of the Match Award at full-time. He told Sky Sports: "The referee said it was a yellow card but it was so high. Hopefully maybe next time it's a red card. It's okay but I nearly broke my leg. It's okay, it's part of football. I think he's okay as well. It's fine."

Ex Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann backed the decision made by referee Jarred Gillett, deeming that the yellow card was the correct verdict.

He said: "Sven Botman made a strong tackle which was clear and reckless. Referee Jarred Gillett correctly issued a yellow card for the defender's robust challenge.

"The VAR checked for a possible red card but correctly deduced that the tackle was reckless in nature and fell short of serious foul play."

Meanwhile, Magpies boss Jaissle said: "It was really fast, both actions. In the beginning, I was sure that there was no foul from Joelinton. It went so fast, I think the decision making was clear from the referee and they checked. I didn't see it again."

While Jackson didn't find himself on the scoresheet against the Magpies, with Johan Manzambi grabbing the only goal in the 1-0 victory, it was another impressive performance from the former Chelsea man.

The Villans paid £65 million to sign the Senegal international last summer, reuniting the forward with Unai Emery at Villa Park, the two having previously worked together at Villarreal. Jackson already has five goals in eight appearances for Aston Villa.

Botman and Joelinton were just two of six Newcastle United players who picked up a yellow card on Saturday evening. Yoane Wissa, Nico Gonzalez, Malick Thiaw and substitute William Osula all found their way into the referee's book.

Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings was asked about the physical battle against Newcastle United after full time, but pointed out that it was normal for any Premier League fixture.

Mings said: "I think it was a perfect away Premier League performance. St James' Park is so difficult to come to. Every game in the Premier League at the moment is so, so difficult.

"It's a physical challenge; you have to stand up and compete and be alive to the balls that are dropping. Trying to keep the crowd quiet at times is half the battle."