Lerner, a graduate of Clare College, Cambridge, has paid £64million to acquire Villa and the American had his first bonus as the Birmingham club romped to victory with goals from their strikers - Luke Moore and Juan Pablo Angel.
Lerner's arrival after the appointment of the inspirational Martin O'Neill has seemingly rejuvenated Villa to such an extent that already they are dreaming of long over-due honours.
In contrast, it was Newcastle's first defeat in 13 games as unbeaten Villa recorded only their third victory over the Magpies in their last 14 clashes at Villa Park.
To add to United's woes they finished with only ten players after Obafemi Martins suffered a leg injury but they were already a beaten team before his premature exit.
Lerner, who is expected to inject a considerable amount of money into Villa to boost the side, witnessed a game which struggled to hit the high notes.
The Magpies couldn't find any pattern to their play. Often they were too elaborate and Villa were able to sit back and mop up any danger with Olof Mellberg, relieved of the captaincy, emerging as their king-pin against Martins.
Martins was stretchered off in the 67th minute after he fell awkwardly following a clash with Liam Ridgewell. There may some question-marks about his age but there is little doubt about Martins' ability in the brief flashes he has able to shine.
The former Internazionale striker has cost Newcastle £10million as a replacement for Alan Shearer, but it will be a waste of money until they can provide him with the service he deserves.
Martins wears diamonds in his ears, but on this occasion they were not shining and were dimmed when he was injured.
The Nigerian's pace was expected to be a big danger to Villa but Mellberg, who had shaved off his beard from midweek, gave such a clean-cut performance that the Magpies newcomer never posed a real goal threat.
In retrospect, the game revolved around Villa's opening goal after only two minutes. Steven Davis knocked a free-kick into the heart of United's defence, Mellberg failed to make contact and the ball fell to Luke Moore who hammered a powerful shot past Shay Given.
James Milner, who could possibly be returning to Villa this week, had a chance to quickly equalise but fluffed the opportunity.
From that moment on Villa were content to sit back and soak up Newcastle's pressure but the visitors lacked penetration.
Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder was then forced to watch in total dismay as Villa steamed further ahead in the 38th minute with a perfectly-executed goal.
Gabby Agbonlahor's pace enabled him to advance quickly before sliding a low ball into the path of Angel. The Colombian side-stepped Given before slipping home his first goal from open play since last February.
Damien Duff, often off the pace, produced one shot on target but United were completely outgunned and, despite three second-half substitutions, they could not lift their game to deny Villa the glory they richly deserved.