At Villa Park, what should have been an opportunity for Newcastle United to lay down an early-season marker turned into a tale of missed chances, tactical misfires, and growing tension surrounding the absence of star striker Alexander Isak. Despite dominating large spells and facing a 10-man Aston Villa for the final 25 minutes, Eddie Howe’s side were held to a goalless draw in a match that raised more questions than answers.
Red Card Drama, But No Reward

The game’s pivotal moment came in the 66th minute when Villa captain Ezri Konsa was shown a straight red card for a last-man foul on Anthony Gordon. It was a textbook denial of a goalscoring opportunity – Gordon had broken free and was bearing down on goal before being dragged back. Referee Craig Pawson had no hesitation in brandishing red.
Yet, from that point on, Newcastle failed to capitalize.
Despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession and pushing Villa deeper into their own half, Newcastle lacked cutting edge. Time and again they surged forward, only to be denied by poor decision-making in the final third or a resolute Villa defence led by the tireless Tyrone Mings and an impressive debut from goalkeeper Marco Bizot.
A Game Crying Out for Isak
Eddie Howe’s men created chances – Elanga squandered a golden one early on, Gordon and Barnes were lively, and debutant William Osula provided energy late on – but there was a glaring hole where Isak should have been.
The Swedish striker, reportedly seeking a move to Liverpool, was left out of the squad entirely, and his absence was keenly felt. Elanga, although sharp on the flanks, was miscast as a central striker, while Gordon struggled when deployed through the middle.
“It’s a big test for us,” Howe said pre-match about the Isak situation. Post-match, he’ll know his team failed that test.
Villa Survive a Siege
Unai Emery’s Villa, despite playing the final third of the game with ten men, showed admirable grit and discipline. The hosts started slowly and looked disjointed for much of the first half. Kamara and McGinn fought hard in midfield, but Villa offered little going forward, with Watkins their only consistent outlet.
But after Konsa’s dismissal, Villa dug deep. Matty Cash put his body on the line on multiple occasions, and substitute Donyell Malen added some spark late on, even forcing a save from Pope. Despite being outplayed for large spells, Villa’s defence held firm, and Bizot emerged as one of the heroes of the afternoon.
Barnes the Bright Spot

While much of the pre-match attention was on Elanga, it was Harvey Barnes who shone for Newcastle. The former Leicester winger created four chances – more than anyone else on the pitch – and consistently tested Villa’s right-hand side. His sharpness and direct running were among the few positives on a day when Newcastle looked blunt in front of goal.
FT: Aston Villa 0-0 Newcastle #AVLNEW pic.twitter.com/0q0MGuat17
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) August 16, 2025
Tactical Missteps and Transfer Shadows
Howe’s substitutions raised eyebrows. The decision to replace Barnes – Newcastle’s most threatening player – with William Osula in the closing stages was met with confusion. Murphy’s introduction for Elanga added pace, but lacked end product.
The bigger issue, however, looms off the pitch. The Isak saga continues to overshadow Newcastle’s start to the season, and without resolution, it threatens to derail their early campaign. With PSR constraints forcing clubs like Newcastle and Villa to make tough transfer decisions, frustration is mounting in the stands and dressing rooms alike.
Final Word
Newcastle will rue this as two points dropped – a game they should have won given the circumstances. Villa, meanwhile, will be delighted to have escaped with a draw, especially given their numerical disadvantage and poor first-half showing.
For Eddie Howe, the message is clear: the Isak situation must be resolved, and quickly. Because without him, Newcastle look like a side with pace and promise – but no one to finish the job.
Final Score: Aston Villa 0-0 Newcastle United
Man of the Match: Fabian Schär (Newcastle) – Composed at the back and instrumental with his distribution.
Up Next:
- Newcastle: Will hope to bounce back against Bournemouth at home.
- Aston Villa: Travel to face Brentford in what will be another test of their early-season resolve.