Aston Villa and Newcastle United played out a 0-0 draw at Villa Park on the opening weekend of the season, as Villa held on for a good point after going down to 10 players early in the second half.
WATCH — Full match replay
Newcastle had the better of the chances but the impressive duo of Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga were both wasteful in front of goal. Eddie Howe will have been pleased with most of the performance from his side but they clearly had an Alexander Isak-sized hole up top.
Ezri Konsa was sent off early in the second half for hauling down Gordon when he was clean through, but Villa held on for a decent point as Unai Emery’s side were not at their best.
Newcastle impress but Isak’s absence glaring
Given the tumultuous summer they’ve endured, Eddie Howe will be really pleased with the way Newcastle United played away at Aston Villa and they deserved a victory. But Howe will also point to the glaring absence of their leading goalscorer, Alexander Isak, who apparently has no intention of ever playing for Newcastle again. Both Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon were so lively in attack and burst behind Villa’s defense on multiple occasions. But they lacked the clinical finishing touch that Isak has and not many players do have his brilliant composure in front of goal. According to Opta, Newcastle haven’t won any of their last six league games without Isak and have failed to score in their last four without the Swedish striker, even though they’ve had an xG of 9.4 in those six games. This is why Newcastle are so desperate to keep him. That seems unlikely and this performance highlights how important buying a top-class replacement for Isak is for Newcastle if they’re going to continue their upward trajectory under Howe. One player doesn’t make a team but for the way Newcastle play, they need to find a clinical finisher who can get somewhere close to Isak’s ability.
What’s next?
Aston Villa head to Brentford on Saturday, August 23, while Newcastle host Liverpool on Monday, August 25.
Aston Villa vs Newcastle United score: 0-0
Aston Villa vs Newcastle United live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Konsa sent off!
Elanga unleashes Gordon on the break and he’s in... but Ezri Konsa hauls him down and is shown a straight red card as the last man. VAR checks the decision but that was an obvious one. Did Konsa have to pull down Gordon? He still had a lot to do from that distance. Huge moment in this game.
Kamara’s header straight at Pope
After a flat first half, Villa have started the second half well. A cross is whipped in and Boubacar Kamara has a free header but he nods it straight at a grateful Nick Pope. Villa’s best chance of the game so far.
First big counter for Villa
It has taken over 30 minutes but Villa finally have a chance on the break. Ollie Watkins is set free and beats Dan Burn, but his cross is cleared. Villa’s front man is looking pretty isolated so far today.
Bizot denies Gordon
Yet another chance for Newcastle as the ball drops for Gordon on the edge of the box and his low shot is sneaking in but Bizot pushes it out for a corner.
Gordon heads over
Newcastle have started really well and Harvey Barnes whips in a lovely cross to find Anthony Gordon unmarked, 10 yards out. But he gets the header all wrong and flicks it way over the bar. Another big chance for Newcastle.
Bizot denies Elanga!
Brilliant counter from Newcastle as Villa’s defenders make a mess of it and Anthony Elanga is clean through. His shot is saved by Bizot and the rebound from Gordon is deflected over. Huge chance for Newcastle. Elanga should have done better with that.
Aston Villa lineup
Bizot; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Onana; Rogers, Tielemans, McGinn; Watkins
Newcastle United lineup
Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Joelinton, Tonali, Guimaraes; Elanga, Gordon, Barnes
Aston Villa team news, focus
OUT: Emiliano Martinez (suspension), Ross Barkley (knock), Andres Garcia (knock) | QUESTIONABLE: Morgan Rogers (ankle)
Newcastle United team news, focus
OUT: Alexander Isak (internal suspension), Joe Willock (calf) | QUESTIONABLE: Anthony Gordon (ankle)
Aston Villa vs Newcastle United prediction
Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak-sized hole in the attack isn’t made smaller by the lack of options to fill his spot. Callum Wilson left for West Ham and well-rated William Osula is still green. Anthony Gordon could be deployed there, but the question mark is too big if Villa deliver a multi-goal day. Newcastle’s midfield is still quite solid, but the simplest outcome is something along the lines of Aston Villa 1-0 Newcastle United.
Aston Villa vs Newcastle United preview
Newcastle’s summer has been problematic, largely because of the confusing saga of star striker Alexander Isak. The Swedish striker helped the Magpies to the League Cup but consternation over his contract has him reportedly holding out for a move to Liverpool.
And the Magpies have also lost out on a number of rumored targets in Joao Pedro (Chelsea), Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool), and Benjamin Sesko (Manchester United) amongst others. And, yes, those trio have invigorated Premier League top-four rivals.
Callum Wilson, Sean Longstaff, and Martin Dubravka have swapped Newcastle for new Premier League digs, while Eddie Howe does have Nottingham Forest playmaker Anthony Elanga and Southampton loanee Aaron Ramsdale in the fold. AC Milan back Malick Thiaw has also joined the side, but the Toon Army will have some trepidation about competing on all fronts (again) as the UCL looms large this Fall.
How to watch Aston Villa vs Newcastle United live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 7:30am ET Saturday
Venue: Villa Park — Aston, Birmingham
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Stream live online via NBC.com
