The Magpies put a shift in at Villa Park to take a point but the game was about missed chances
Newcastle United players observe a moments silence in memory of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva
Newcastle United were held 0-0 at Villa Park on a day in which they could not take one of their 16 chances created in the second city.
The Magpies had a golden opportunity in the opening moments when Sandro Tonali sent Anthony Elanga clean through but Marco Bizot saved well.
United dominated the first half and created eight chances to Villa's none, but they could not break the deadlock before the break.
The second half offered the Magpies a chance to grasp the game when Anthony Gordon was pulled back and Ezri Konsa was sent off but they could not take advantage of the extra man.
Harvey Barnes wasted a couple of late efforts as Villa clung on.
Here's how United stars rated at Villa Park:
Nick Pope 7
A clean sheet to start the season with some confident claims.
Kieran Trippier 7
Used his experience and guile to bank an early season point.
Fabian Schar 8
A sharp defensive display with a range of clearances and vital tackles.
Dan Burn 8
The Blyth battler staked his claim to keep his place amid some quality centre-back options for Howe. Thumped away 10 clearances.
Joelinton 7
A bruising presence in midfield, but will have more effective games than this. Started the season with his usual yellow card.
Bruno Guimaraes 7
Not at his vintage best, but energy could not be faulted.
Sandro Tonali 8
A sparkling display in midfield, unlocking the Villa defence early in the game with Elanga's chance. Man of the match.
Harvey Barnes 5
A hard-working display to begin with, but lacked sharpness, wasting a couple of good openings.
Anthony Elanga 6
Who knows how this game could have gone had the Sweden star tucked away his presentable early chance, and while he took a while to recover from the miss, he remained a threat threading the ball through for Gordon which led to the red card. Caused problems and put in five crosses.
Anthony Gordon 7
Worked his socks off after being thrown in at the deep end. Caused genuine threats not least when getting Konsa sent off.
Subs
Jacob Murphy (for Elanga 78)
Lewis Miley (for Joelinton 83)
William Osula (for Barnes 90)