The Magpies were the better team at Villa Park but missed some glorious first half chances, and then failed to take advantage after Ezri Konsa was sent off for the hosts for dragging down Anthony Gordon as the last man at the midway point of the second half.
Despite the failure to make the most of their numerical advantage and several opportunities, boss Eddie Howe will have been delighted with his side's display on the back of a challenging summer and without Alexander Isak, who was obviously missing.
Here's how the game played out and the main talking points:
ATTACKING FRUSTRATIONS
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If only Newcastle had a striker…
In the first 45 minutes at Villa Park, the excellent Magpies were by far the better side. They had eight shots compared to Villa’s none and 22 touches in the opposition box compared to the home side’s five. And yet the score at half-time remained 0-0 and home boss Unai Emery will have no doubt been relieved that his side, so passive in the opening period, were still in the game.
It could – should – have been different, for any natural Premier League striker – not even the very few of the calibre of Alexander Isak – would have backed themselves to bury the glorious early chances Newcastle created.
Anthony Elanga’s game is all about speed but as he raced in on goal with only Marco Bizot to beat less than three minutes into his debut, there was one touch too many and a slight hesitation before his shot was saved to the keeper’s right. He should have scored.
And so too should Anthony Gordon eight minutes later. Joelinton’s cross was pinpoint, Gordon was unmarked, but the makeshift striker headed over.
Newcastle’s attack was full of pace, running and effort, with Gordon looking particularly sharp and determined, but the visitors lacked a cutting edge, highlighting why United quite simply won’t entertain the prospect of allowing Isak to leave before signing two forwards.
On the subject of Isak, Alan Shearer made his feelings clear as Newcastle kicked off the season without their star striker.
“I get clubs and football players, there is no loyalty, clubs look after themselves and players look after themselves, but there's a way of doing things,” said Shearer on BBC 5Live.
“The way that Alex is doing this at the moment is not the right way.”
Newcastle's supporters joined Shearer in making their anger known.
"One greedy b\*\*\*\*\*d" they sang at full-time, and showed their appreciation for those in black and white who were involved.
**TRANSFER TOGETHERNESS**
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A new season, but there was a familiar look to both teams, with only two of the game’s 22 starting players new signings.
And one denied the other the perfect Newcastle start as Bizot got down to his right and kept out Elanga when the winger had that glorious third minute opportunity.
It was by no means a brilliant debut by Elanga, who at one stage clumsily lost control of the ball under no pressure, but there was instant evidence of what he’ll offer Newcastle.
It was his blistering speed that helped lead to that early opening, and every time he got the ball, there was a fearless and direct charge at Lucas Digne, who was immediately backing off.
But the onus is on Newcastle’s wide players – especially against the backdrop of the current striker situation – to provide goals and assists, as Jacob Murphy, dropped to the bench here, did last season, with 20 goal contributions in 35 games.
Jacob Ramsey will complete his move from Villa to Newcastle in the coming days, a transfer forced on the home side by the same financial rules that resulted in a string of barren and hugely and hugely frustrating windows on Tyneside. And there was a moment in the second half when both sets of fans came together to chant in unity and voice their anger at the restrictions that they feel are holding their clubs back.
**SECOND HALF AND HOWE FRUSTRATIONS**
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Villa simply had to improve in the second half, and from the kick-off there was an immediate purpose and intent to the home side’s play.
Other than slicing one clearance up into the press box and almost taking out pundit Robbie Fowler, Nick Pope was a first half spectator.
But the keeper – preferred to Aaron Ramsdale - was immediately called into action at the start of the second half when Boubacar Kamara headed straight at him. Youri Tielamans then teased in a delivery that only needed a touch but didn’t get one and bounced harmlessly wide.
It felt like the tide was turning, until Elanga and Gordon combined to swing the game back in Newcastle’s favour. The counter attack that led to Konsa’s 66th minute red card was all about pace. Villa were fearful of Elanga’s speed and Gordon then caught Konsa out with his, beating the centre-half to his teammate’s through-ball before being dragged to the deck, a red card the only possible outcome.
Newcastle had the initiative once more, but couldn’t make the most of their territory and numerical advantage.
Come full-time, Newcastle had managed 13 shots to Villa’s three and more than twice as many touches in the penalty area, but Harvey Barnes’ wild and wayward 89th minute effort that ended up closer to the corner flag than the net rather summed up their attacking frustrations.
And while Howe said on the eve of this game that he’d be thrilled with any sort of positive result from a challenging opening against a side that haven’t lost at home in a year, his overriding emotion as he left Villa Park was most likely frustration that one point wasn’t three.