Newcastle were relegated from the Premier League after losing 1-0 at Villa Park after a cruel deflection off Damien Duff gave Villa the lead six minutes before the break.
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Newcastle were relegated from the Premier League after losing 1-0 at Villa Park after a cruel deflection off Damien Duff gave Villa the lead six minutes before the break.
The goal completely changed the mood of the visiting fans who had been celebrating the fact that Manchester United had taken the lead against Newcastle's relegation rivals Hull.
As expected, Sir Alex Ferguson named a weakened United side for the trip to the KC Stadium, but nobody could complain about the goal that put the Red Devils ahead, young midfielder Darron Gibson unleashing a screamer from 35 yards on the half-hour mark.
It proved to be the winner, but with Newcastle unable to find an equaliser at Villa Park, it was the Tigers who stayed up by a point with Shearer's side having to contemplate the reality of life outside the top-flight.
Second-bottom Middlesbrough will join the Magpies and already-relegated West Brom in the Coca-Cola Championship next year after they were defeated 2-1 at West Ham.
The hosts went ahead after 33 minutes when Carlton Cole sidefooted past Brad Jones and although Gary O'Neill hit an equaliser shortly after the break, the Hammers won it eight minutes later through Junior Stanislas.
Sunderland were the only other side in any danger of getting relegated at the start of play and had other results to thank for their survival after they were beaten 3-2 by Chelsea at the Stadium of Light in Guus Hiddink's last game in charge of the Blues.
Nicolas Anelka took the season's Golden Boot award in style with a wonder strike two minutes into the second half before Kieran Richardson took advantage of Petr Cech's fumble to level.
But Salomon Kalou gave the visitors the lead again in the 74th minute and Ashley Cole wrapped up the win in the final 10 minutes, Kenwyne Jones netting another for the Black Cats in injury time.