Ten-man Aston Villa earn 0-0 home EPL draw with wasteful Newcastle

BIRMINGHAM – An “anxious” Newcastle United got a worrying glimpse of life without Alexander Isak as they were held to a 0-0 draw in their English Premier League opener at Aston Villa, despite Ezri Konsa’s dismissal.

The English defender was sent off for a professional foul on Anthony Gordon midway through the second half on Aug 16.

But Newcastle were unable to take advantage in a toothless display that showed why they are so desperate to keep hold of Isak.

The Sweden striker was not involved against Villa after

reportedly telling the club he wants to leave

to join Premier League champions Liverpool. The 25-year-old was the subject of a rejected £110 million (S$191.3 million) bid from Liverpool earlier in August.

“I don’t think we dominated, chance-wise, the way we wanted. We were maybe a little bit too anxious to score,” Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said.

“If you’re not totally together in the Premier League, you’re going to find it very difficult, but I think we answered a few questions today in terms of our spirit.”

Isak, who helped Newcastle secure Champions League qualification and end their 56-year trophy drought last season, is reportedly refusing to train or play in an effort to force his way out of the club he joined from Real Sociedad in 2022.

He did not take part in Newcastle’s pre-season tour, training alone at his former club in Spain instead.

Gordon led the line in Isak’s absence as the England winger started out of position in the centre of Newcastle’s three-man attack.

Anthony Elanga made his Newcastle debut after the winger’s £55 million move from Nottingham Forest, while Malick Thiaw, a defender signed from AC Milan, was among the substitutes.

“From my perspective, you want a resolution quickly. It’s taking away the focus of the players and the supporters,” Howe said of the transfer saga.

“We want to be united together. We’d like a resolution, but we’re not in control of that.”

Villa boss Unai Emery could take heart from his team’s backs-to-the-wall effort after Konsa’s exit.

Emery had admitted it was a “challenging” transfer window after his club were constrained by Premier League profit and sustainability rules, leaving them with just two new signings.

Marco Bizot, hired from Brest, made his debut in goal in place of the suspended Emiliano Martinez, while Evann Guessand, a striker signed from another French club, Rennes, was on the bench.

Said Emery: “I am not happy with one point at home. But against a team like Newcastle, they made a lot of good chances in the first half.

“Second half we dominated more, created chances. But the red card changed the match completely. The players responded fantastically, the point more or less is fair.”

Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings added on TNT Sports: “It was a tough first half of course, everyone trying to find their feet. But I enjoyed the game and our performance.

“It is difficult in the first weeks when the window is still open, it is important for the players here to keep the group focused.”

Elanga wasted a golden opportunity for a debut goal after sprinting through on goal for a shot that was repelled by Bizot. Gordon was equally profligate when he headed Harvey Barnes’ cross over the bar from just six yards.

Newcastle threatened again as Bruno Guimaraes headed a free kick towards Barnes and he picked out Gordon, whose low strike from 20 metres was turned away by Bizot.

Newcastle had eight shots in the first 30 minutes, while Villa mustered just two touches in the visitors’ penalty area in the same period and failed to manage a single shot in the entire half.

Villa tested Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope through Boubacar Kamara’s header immediately after the interval.

But Emery’s men were reduced to 10 men in the 66th minute after Elanga’s superb pass sent Gordon bearing down on goal, provoking a despairing tug from Konsa that earned the defender a red card.

Newcastle pressed for the winner, but Barnes’ goal-bound volley was blocked by Matty Cash and Bizot denied Gordon as Villa held on.

Later, Richarlison scored twice to give Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank a dream home debut with a 3-0 win over newly promoted Burnley, while Sunderland shocked West Ham 3-0 on their return to the Premier League.

Frank was seconds away from launching his era in charge with a trophy until a late Paris Saint-Germain revival won the Uefa Super Cup on Aug 13.

The former Brentford boss replaced Ange Postecoglou despite the Australian ending Spurs’ 17-year trophy drought by lifting the Europa League.

Elsewhere, Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz struck in the 96th minute to salvage a 1-1 draw at Brighton after Matt O’Riley’s penalty put the Seagulls in front. AFP