Aston Villa and Newcastle United began their Premier League campaigns with a goalless draw at Villa Park on Saturday, in a contest where the visitors will feel they should have taken all three points.
Eddie Howe’s side started brightly and carved out several chances in the first half, with Fabian Schär, Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and youngster Dapo Osula all going close.
READ ALSO: Slot’s Liverpool edge Bournemouth in 4-2 thriller
However, they found Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot in inspired form, ensuring the scoreline remained level at the break.
Unai Emery’s men showed greater intent early in the second half, with Boubacar Kamara and Morgan Rogers both forcing saves from Nick Pope.
Their momentum was short-lived, however, as Ezri Konsa was sent off for a professional foul on Gordon, leaving Villa with a mountain to climb for the remainder of the match.
Reduced to 10 men, the hosts struggled to create clear opportunities, managing just 0.13 expected goals (xG) in total.
Newcastle, by contrast, posted 1.47 expected goal but were wasteful in front of goal and could not find a way past the resilient Bizot.
The result leaves both sides still searching for their first victory of the new season.
Villa will travel to Brentford in their next outing, while Newcastle face a stern test at home against Liverpool.
