Newcastle United started the new Premier League season with a point away at Villa Park.
Saturday’s clash ended in a goalless draw, with United struggling to convert chances without a recognised striker (thanks Alex…) before and after Villa were reduced to ten men.
While there was limited attacking intent from the home side throughout, Newcastle showed huge pedigree as they bossed the encounter in possession, in chances created and territorially. Konsa’s red card probably should’ve seen the lads grab all three points but with so many questions coming into the game it was overall a positive first run out of the season.
Here are 4 things I liked (and 1 I didn’t) from the 0-0 draw at Villa Park:
**Didn’t Like: The lack of a Striker**
The obvious glaring issue? Newcastle’s absence of a proper striker. A certain Swede would’ve filled his boots during the opening 20 minutes when United were so dominant and created eight decent chances.
The lack of a clinical focal point, with the final shot either being tame, scuffed or simply put wide, was further evidence that the whole sorry Isak saga needs to be sorted out ASAP. Anthony Elanga probably should’ve squared his early one-on-one when Anthony Gordon had the freedom of the Holte End’s 18-yard box to just tap it home and other efforts either meandered towards goal like a sat-nav stuck on ‘scenic route’ (Gordon) or were blazed over the bar like a Salah penalty in a cup final (Schär).
In the second half most of the promising moves fizzled out with no one to apply the finishing touch. Even after the red card chances were still scuffed with Gordon trying to shoot from 30+ yards and a surprising lack of urgency in wanting to have a strike when well positioned (Bruno and Barnes). At times it felt like watching a band without a lead singer—plenty of rhythm, but no one to hit the right notes.
**Liked: Anthony Gordon’s relentless energy**
Anthony Gordon was an absolute livewire, buzzing about like he’d had one too many espressos before kick-off. His pressing was relentless, causing Villa’s defenders all sorts of headaches. While his finishing needs refining (especially when he’s being asked to fill in up front and replace one of the best strikers in world football), his energy and tenacity set the tone for Newcastle’s pressing game.
Gordon was truly tireless, and the press he led was brilliantly effective as Villa surrendered the ball close to their defensive third on numerous occasions. On another day with a striker to gobble up one of the chances, or at the very least offer instinctual positioning to open up space in the box for others, then United would have comfortably won that game.
**Liked: Anthony Elanga’s Bright Sparks**
Anthony Elanga’s United career almost had the perfect start when he was clean through after just a few minutes, but his shot was well saved by Bizot in the Villa goal (I’m going to say it again though; he should’ve squared it).
Despite a couple of clumsy touches when well positioned, the 23-year-old Swede added a fresh dimension to United’s attack. His pace and direct runs stretched Villa’s defence, creating spaces, and his full-back Luca Digne should’ve been booked in the first half as he brought Elanga down on one too many occasions for me, meaning Elanga probably would’ve got more joy than he did during his 75 mins.
Though he didn’t conjure up a goal, he was a breath of fresh air, and with more time to train and build relationships with his new teammates (and an elite striker in the middle to aim balls at), exciting times are ahead for the new £55m man.
**Liked: The Red Card**
Well, not so much the card itself, but the lighting pace and excellent through ball that brought it about. Ally McCoist said on commentary that ‘pacy players know when to pass to pacy players’, and it was a keen insight from the Scot as Elanga knew the exact moment to release the ball for Gordon to burst onto in behind the Villa backline.
The red card incident itself was straightforward and, for once, was without controversy. Konsa had to go and there was little debate to be had over it; the complete opposite to Schär’s opening-day red card last time around. Red cards have the potential to flip match dynamics, but on this occasion, it continued in pretty much the same vein with United controlling the second half without too much to show for it.
Regardless, I’m sure there will be some disappointment in the dressing room that the lads couldn’t hammer home the man advantage (and 25 mins against ten men without scoring in most other circumstances would deeply frustrate the fans), but with all the noise, at a ground we generally lose at, we’ll gladly take the point.
**Liked: Defensive Masterclasses and a strong bench**
While goals were missing, United’s defensive prowess was on display in abundance. The backline, marshalled superbly by Schär and Burn, showcased discipline and grit, nullifying Ollie Watkins and a Villa attacking line that had torn them apart the last time we visited a short four months ago.
Burn expertly shut down any rare Villa threats, and the right side of Schär and Trippier displayed keen positioning, anticipation, and old-school resilience. The combined age of those three is 100 years old, and the veterans were some of United’s best performers on Saturday. But they will have to continue at that level as you be sure that Hall, Thiaw, and Botman will all be chomping at the bit to displace them.
But it was just great (and heartening) to see United finally have a strong bench as the squad quietly starts to take shape as the media is distracted by the incessant Isakk talk. Fair play too to Eddie Howe for acknowledging that fans have a right to vent their frustrations with I\*\*k’s actions after chants of ‘there’s only one greedy \*\*\*\*\*\*\*’ echoed around Villa Park after the final whistle.
Despite the 0-0 scoreline, the match offered much to warm our weary Newcastle cockles. Angst, disbelief, and concern had dominated the build-up to this game, with many writing United off before a ball was even kicked, but the game had almost everything we were looking for to remind us just who we are.
We Are Newcastle United. Keep the faith. HWTL