Ten-men Aston Villa snatched a goalless draw against Newcastle United at Villa Park despite a second-half red card for Ezri Konsa.
Konsa was shown a 66th-minute red card after he denied Anthony Gordon a chance to burst through on goal from Anthony Elanga’s long pass.
Villa however produced the best chance of the match in the 47th minute as Boubacar Kamara’s header was saved by Nick Pope.
With only goal difference having separated Villa and Newcastle at the end of last season, it wasn’t too surprising that the first half proved pretty drab despite Newcastle’s dominance as Villa’s summer signing, Marco Bizot denied Gordon with a third-minute block.
Gordon almost turned provider ten minutes later as he nodded Harvey Barnes’ cross down into the path of Newcastle’s summer arrival, Elanga whose shot was quickly cleared as the Magpies lacked a clinical touch without wantaway striker – Alexander Isak.
Fabian Schar was the next Newcastle player to attempt a shot but fired his effort over the bar as Villa stood firm defensively until half-time.
Villa however switched gears as the second half got underway as they immediately got on the front foot as barely a minute passed before Boubacar Kamara created their first shot, which saw him flick a header forward from John McGinn’s cross but Pope saved the attempt.
Unai Emery’s Villains continued to enjoy a dominant spell which resulted in a fast series of passes in the 64th minute towards Morgan Rogers, who fed Ollie Watkins forward to bend a low shot towards goal but Pope made a comfortable save.
Villa were soon dealt a blow as Elanga played a long forward pass to Gordon who was tugged to ground by Konsa to deny him a goalscoring opportunity, which left referee – Craig Pawson with no choice other than to red card Konsa.
Schar however smashed a shot from Sandro Tonali’s subsequent short set-piece over the bar as Newcastle began to gain the upper hand, during which Harvey Barnes’ 73rd-minute volley struck Matty Cash although the latter continued after a shakedown.
Villa ultimately dug deep defensively to snatch a point in an otherwise rusty start for both teams who will look to again challenge for a top-four finish.
Emery post-match wasn’t pleased with the goalless draw initially but he explained to TNT Sports that he felt that the point apiece was “fair” on reflection.
“I am not happy with one point at home. But against a team like Newcastle, they made a lot of good chances in the first half. Second half we dominated more, created chances. But the red card changed the match completely. The players responded fantastically, the point more or less is fair.
“It was a tough match. After the red card there was more necessity to defend, but we responded to all the issues on the field.”
What’s Next?
Villa head to West London for their first away trip of the campaign as they visit Brentford at 3pm BST on Saturday 23 August at Gtech Community Stadium.
Newcastle host Liverpool on Bank Holiday Monday 25 August at 8pm BST in their first home game of the season at St James’ Park.
Teams
Aston Villa: Marco Bizot, Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne, Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, John McGinn (Malen 84′), Ollie Watkins
Substitutes: Lamare Bogarde, Emiliano Buendia, Pau Torres, Samuel Iling-Junior, Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, Ian Maatsen, Donyell Malen, Evann Guessand, James Wright
Newcastle: Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Tino Livramento, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton (Miley 83′), Anthony Elanga (Murphy 78′), Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes (Osula 90′)
Substitutes: Sven Botman, Lewis Hall, Emil Krafth, Lewis Miley, Jacob Murphy, William, Osula, Park Seung-Soo, Aaron Ramsdale, Malick Thiaw
Referee – Craig Pawson
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