Kevin Keegan has admitted his Newcastle side were "bullied" by Aston Villa during Saturday's 4-1 Premier League defeat at Villa Park.A second-half John Carew hat-trick against Keegan's Toon kept Martin O'Neill's side on course for Europe.

The Magpies had looked as if they were on their way to a first win since Keegan returned after Michael Owen had struck for the second time in two games.

But the Newcastle defence found the physical presence of Carew and substitute Marlon Harewood impossible to counter during the second 45 minutes.

Keegan said: "I had no complaints about the first half at all. I said to the players we had built a good platform from which to go on and win a football match.

"Instead of going a goal down like we have been doing in most recent games, we went in front and handled everything Villa threw at us.

"I impressed at half-time on the players the importance of the opening 15 minutes of the second half and picking up where we left off.

"We were unlucky with Villa's first goal which took a deflection and even then Shay Given would have saved it if he hadn't slipped and pulled his groin.

"You want to see how the players were going to respond after that and that was the most disappointing aspect of today.

"Before you knew it, we were getting bullied, especially by Carew and Harewood, and they were basically doing what they wanted to do with us at times.

"That was the disappointing aspect and that is what I told the players. There were still some very good performances but who cares when you get beat 4-1.

"We got the lead today and still couldn't go on and win so you sort of run out of excuses in that department.

"When you look at the second half the positives are forgotten because of the negatives and we are very fragile at the moment."

Keegan is confident Newcastle, without a win in nine league games, will not be dragged into a relegation battle.

He said: "I knew when I took the job we had some very tough games. All the away matches were against sides in the top half of the table and we've got Manchester United and Chelsea at home.

"We have got enough to be a Premier League club next season but you have still got to get to that 40 point mark no matter what type of club you are."

Keegan confirmed that coach Nigel Pearson had made the decision of his own free will to leave Newcastle.

He said: "He said the day before yesterday he wanted to go. He didn't give me a reason but he has been at this club through difficult times and said he wasn't happy.

"I asked him to think about it for three or four days, he said he wanted to go and I respected that but it is a pity because I was looking forward to working with him."

O'Neill was delighted with Villa second half showing but believes Carew can produce the same sort of performance on a more consistent basis.

The Norwegian international took his goal tally to nine for the current campaign but has sometimes been guilty of inconsistency.

O'Neill said: "John showed in the second half the kind of form he is capable of. He was unplayable during that time.

"He has fitted in really well here, been excellent in the dressing room and I have been pleased with him but he can do even better.

"What I would look for from John is to get more a consistency from him."

O'Neill admitted that Villa may have been suffering a reaction during the first half to last weekend's shock defeat at Fulham.

He said: "In the first half, Newcastle played some pretty football, deserved to be in the lead and we were second best.

"Maybe we were suffering a hangover from getting beat at Fulham and because of the

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