When Newcastle were relegated after defeat at Villa Park in May 2009, the home fans were delighted. They came with mocking banners and bedsheets and their supporters sang songs championing Newcastle owner Mike Ashley's mismanagement of the football club.
Newcastle's players, staff and fans have not forgotten and in turn, were delighted by the 1-0 win against Villa at St James' Park on Saturday afternoon.
Another defeat -- their seventh league reverse in a row -- leaves the Midlands club 19th in the Premier League and at serious risk of a relegation of their own. The Villa fans once again brought bedsheets to the game, only this time the scrawl on them was aimed at their own club and owner Randy Lerner: "TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE, LERNER OUT".
While the result was welcome, in truth Newcastle supporters weren't altogether confident in the run up to the game, which was understandable after only one win in eight under John Carver's management. The fans I spoke to weren't looking forward to a game that threatened to be lacking in entertainment and quality, reminiscent of so many on Tyneside recently.
Carver named an attacking lineup with two strikers on the teamsheet, a rare thing for Newcastle in recent times. Ayoze Perez missed out -- he needed the break -- but Papiss Cisse started alongside Emanuel Riviere.
However, what looked like a straightforward 4-4-2 on paper was, in practice, confusing and for much of the first half Mehdi Abeid looked like a one-man-midfield for the Magpies.
Villa were by far the brighter team in the early exchanges and looked likelier to score. Christian Benteke's athletic overhead kick was saved by Tim Krul as most of the goalkeeper's teammates stood ball watching.
In general, Tim Sherwood's side were more mobile, more willing to show for the ball and less likely just to clear their defensive lines as quickly as possible, something Newcastle were guilty of doing. However, once Papiss Cisse snatched an unlikely lead for Newcastle, the visitors were stopped in their tracks.
Despite going in at half time ahead, Carver must have, rightly, got stuck in to his players, who came out for the second period looking much more determined and playing better football.
They searched for a second and Gabriel Obertan broke clear only to once again fluff his lines through poor decision-making. Supporters feared a repeat of the Stoke game on Feb. 8 when the Frenchman missed a great chance before Newcastle conceded an equalizer in the last minute. The tension was not eased when Ryan Taylor came close with a free-kick and Perez, on as a sub, hit the post with a header.
Villa thought they'd levelled with 20 minutes to go and their fans celebrated wildly, oblivious to the fact the goal had been disallowed with Benteke ruled offside. The Newcastle supporters loved it and sang "You're not laughing anymore" and "You're going down with the [Sunderland] Mackems" in response.
After six minutes of injury time were somehow added on, another Newcastle win against Villa was secured. Since that fateful relegation game, they have won six of the last 10 meetings between the two clubs.
Football fans taunt the opposition -- it's one of their duties -- but the beauty of the game is that revenge is so often just around the corner. If Villa go down in May you won't see too much disappointment on Tyneside.
Finally, it was fantastic to see the return to the Newcastle matchday squad of Jonas Gutierrez. The Argentine has missed almost a full year whilst successfully battling testicular cancer and, though he didn't make it on to the pitch on Saturday, it was truly inspiring to see him involved again. Jonas is a true hero.