Newcastle United can only hope incoming coach Graeme Jones arrives with a plan to keep them in the Premier League.
For on the evidence of this 10th straight match without victory, Steve Bruce does not have one. It would appear he does not have his players, either. They could not have looked less interested in bailing out their under-fire boss at Villa Park.
It was another change of formation, 5-3-2 this time. Another change of personnel, four from the side beaten at Arsenal. But everything else remained the same - no spark, no desire, no idea.