Unai Emery’s team saw Ezri Konsa dismissed for pulling back Anthony Gordon through on goal midway through the second half.
But they saw out the rest of the match to take a draw without too much trouble, the visiting Magpies badly missing wantaway striker Alexander Isak.
Villa debutant Marco Bizot made two first half saves, with Boubacar Kamara going closest for the home side.
**Analysis**
This was the first time Villa Park had hosted a match on the opening day of a Premier League season for 15 years.
Suffice to say, it was not a classic.
Newcastle will feel they should have taken all three points having been the better team for large parts, restricting Villa to only a handful of efforts on goal, all in the second period.
But after Bizot, standing in for the suspended Emi Martinez, had saved early from Magpies debutant Anthony Elanga and then kept out a Gordon drive, he was rarely troubled, even after the home side had been reduced to 10 men.
Ultimately, this felt like a match neither team deserved to win.
A tribute to Ozzy Osbourne took place before kick-off, while the teams emerged to the sight of a Tifo in front of the Holte End featuring a picture of Emery with the words: “No limits to our dreams.”
It all felt set for the big occasion, yet the hosts didn’t even manage an attempt on goal in the first half.Instead it was Newcastle who almost snatched the early lead. Tonali played the ball through the Villa backline, Digne slipped, Mings fell over him and Elanga was through on goal. Bizot made the save diving to his right.
The Dutch keeper was called into action again when he pushed Anthony Gordon’s low drive round the post. Gordon had earlier sent a header from six-yards out over the bar.
That was it in terms of first half chances all round but while Newcastle’s attacking engine might have spluttered, Villa’s never made a sound.
That changed quickly in the second half and the hosts should have taken the lead but Kamara could only head straight at Nick Pope from McGinn’s cross.
Ollie Watkins also shot straight at the keeper after one of Villa’s best passing moves, yet just when the home side seemed to be taking a firmer grip on proceedings, they were dealt a huge blow with Konsa’s dismissal.
Cash’s cross was behind every Villa player in the box and instead found Elanga, who sent Gordon racing into the opposition half with a through ball. Konsa pulled Gordon back and though the force might have been minimal, the decision for referee Craig Pawson was obvious.
Cash made up for the poor cross when he blocked from Gordon and then even more bravely from Barnes.
While Newcastle bossed possession, Pope was the only keeper forced to make a save when Villa substitute Donyell Malen tested him with a low effort.
At least that was the case until stoppage time, when Gordon embarked on a mazy run and shot from distance. The save was comfortable for Bizot.
**Key Moments**
66 RED CARD Villa’s Ezri Konsa is sent-off for pulling down Anthony Gordon through on goal.
**Teams**
Villa (4-2-3-1): Bizot, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, Onana, McGinn (Malen 84), Tielemans, Rogers, Watkins Subs not used: Torres, Maatsen, Bogarde, Buendia, Jimoh-Aloba, Iling-Junior, Guessand, Wright (gk).
Newcastle (4-3-3): Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Tonali, Guimarares, Joelinton (Miley 83), Elanga (Murphy 78), Gordon, Barnes (Osula 90) Subs not used: Hall, Botman, Thiaw, Krafth, Seung-Soo, Ramsdale (gk).