Aston Villa drew 0-0 with Newcastle United on a day that went about as well as it could have done for their debutant shot stopper. Marco Bizot broke down how his new team took a hard-earned point, praising the fans for the "fantastic" atmosphere that has welcomed him to life in English football.
‘I did whatever I could for the team’
The Dutchman signed from **Brest**this summer and was the first arrival of the window. There is most excitement about Evann Guessand, who is also coming from Ligue 1, but the goalkeeper was the only debutant, filling in for Emiliano Martinez, who was banned after a red card at Old Trafford.
He admitted that he was a little nervous about playing for a historic English outfit for the first time.
“Firstly, it’s always special, it’s always a little tension to make your debut and first match at home.”
But within minutes, he was embracing the atmosphere at the home of Aston Villa. It has become a fortress where the team have not lost since a 2-0 defeat to **Arsenal**in August last year, and Bizot began to feel like a part of the family, laying down the foundations for a solid showing on his debut.
“In the first minutes, I had to feel it a little bit, and after a few moments, a few minutes, it was absolutely amazing. The stadium was fantastic, the atmosphere was good, so I enjoyed it.”
He was sharp in the first fifteen minutes when the Toon thrived the most. He ducked down to block an effort from Anthony Elanga, who broke through 1 v 1 in the first 90 seconds after kickoff, and he turned a drive from Anthony Gordon around the post to keep the clean sheet against the pressure.
“I could keep it 0-0. I did whatever I could for the team and for everybody. That’s what my role is.”
The hosts had to manage having one fewer man when Ezri Konsa clipped Gordon and received a red card in the 66th minute. Boubacar Kamara dropped into the back four next to Tyrone Mings, and the goalkeeper was glad to see how his teammates responded to adversity throughout this battle.
“At the end, of course, if you look at the game and the red card, you are pleased with the point. As a supporter, you always want to have the three points. That’s the only negative, disappointing thing.”
He accepts that the fans would have wanted a win, but points on the board are what matter most.
“But, after all, after 10 men and the game we faced, it’s great to have our first point at home.”