Premier League preview: Newcastle United v Aston Villa
May 2009, and the slippery slope that Newcastle United had been sliding down for many years was about to reach its lowest point.
Gareth Barry struck an effort from distance, it took a heavy deflection off Damien Duff and found its way into the bottom corner of the net. It would prove the only goal of the game, and Newcastle - after years of lurching from the sublime to the ridiculous and back again - were relegated amidst cruel, mocking laughter at Villa Park.
Down, but not out, Chris Hughton masterminded a fightback that ended with the Championship trophy last season, and promotion to the top tier, where they'll face the side that previously sealed their fate in their first home game of this campaign.
Three-nil was the scoreline for these two on the opening weekend of the season, but while a post-Martin O'Neill Villa were comfortably seeing off West Ham United home, Newcastle were left chasing shadows at Old Trafford.
Such defeats are likely to provide unwelcome memories of their last Premier League campaign, but look hard enough and there were a few positives to take from Newcastle's 3-0 defeat to Manchester United last Monday night, although Joey Barton's moustache doesn't quite make the list.
Upfront, lively forward Andy Carroll should have scored with a free header early on, but he didn't let his miss affect his game, and still went looking for the ball at every opportunity. It is possible to believe that he'll score goals up against lesser quality opposition than the likes of Nemanja Vidic, but he'll need better and more frequent service than he enjoyed at Old Trafford.
At the back, Mike Williamson stood up to his first Premier League test well, and debutant James Perch didn't look out of place, while Jonas Gutiérrez will certainly cause most teams problems down Newcastle's left.
"We've got to take the positives from Old Trafford into Sunday's game," said Hughton. "It's a home game for us and we're hoping it's going to be a magnificent crowd once again."
It surely will be - those Geordies have been waiting over a year for a home Premier League game after all - and Newcastle will be up against a Villa team very much in transition.
O'Neill has gone, caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald remains, for now, but the Scot has done his chances of landing the top job permanently no harm at all by taking a number of difficult but well thought out decisions.
Quite what was the thinking process behind selecting James Milner in last weekend's clash with West Ham presumably only manager and player know, but the move paid off spectacularly, with Milner - as professional as ever - playing well and scoring in what would prove to be his final Villa appearance. Away from the sideshow of the England man's transfer to Manchester City though, some newer, less heralded lights have emerged, all given a chance by MacDonald.
Marc Albrighton started, and starred, in that victory, and followed that up with another assured display in the midweek Europa League draw with Rapid Vienna. Barry Bannan scored Villa's goal there, playing alongside the likes of Jonathan Hogg and Eric Lichaj as the visitors secured a potentially crucial away draw.
Bigger hitters are likely to return for the trip to St James' Park though, with the likes of John Carew, Stiliyan Petrov and Ashley Young all pressing to start, while Stephen Ireland stands by for his Villa debut after joining as a makeweight in the Milner deal, not that he sees himself as a sub-standard replacement.
"For me, my number one target is to work hard for my team-mates," said the Irishman this week.
"I'll show them what I can bring to the table, show them they can rely on me and that I am going to work hard for them week in, week out. When I get my chance to get on the ball, hopefully I'll shine as well."
If he is going to shine on Sunday, then he'll have to overcome a committed Newcastle side, who could welcome back Danny Guthrie and Peter Løvenkrands after injury, but Sol Campbell still isn't ready.
Villa will be eager to build upon a promising start to the season, while their hosts will want to get at least something on the board after their Old Trafford experience.
All of which points to only one outcome; a share of the spoils, and the continuing symmetry of these two club's results.
Prediction: Newcastle United 2 Aston Villa 2
Tags: