Aston Villa and Newcastle United played to a scoreless draw in their Premier League opener, with Ezri Konsa’s red card failing to shift the deadlock. Newcastle, without Alexander Isak, created numerous chances but lacked the finishing touch, while Villa’s solid defense secured a valuable point.
Aston Villa and Newcastle United kicked off their 2025-26 Premier League campaigns with a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Villa Park. However, the game was far from uneventful, featuring missed opportunities and a red card that left Newcastle feeling frustrated.
Newcastle entered the match without their star striker, Alexander Isak, who is rumored to be seeking a move away from the club. Despite Isak's absence, Newcastle dominated possession and created a string of chances, particularly in the first half. Their inability to convert these opportunities ultimately proved costly.
One of Newcastle's big-money signings from Nottingham Forest this summer, Anthony Elanga, had a particularly frustrating afternoon. He missed a clear one-on-one opportunity in the third minute, shooting directly at Aston Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot. The miss set the tone for Newcastle's struggles in front of goal.
Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa received a straight red card in the 66th minute for a last-man foul on Newcastle's Anthony Gordon, giving the Magpies a significant advantage. Despite the numerical advantage, Newcastle failed to capitalize and break the deadlock.
Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes had a good chance after Konsa's dismissal, but Villa defender Matty Cash made a crucial block to deny him. The Newcastle attack continued to push for a winner, but Villa managed to hold firm and secure a point.
Newcastle will lament the absence of Isak. They finished the match with an expected goals (xG) value of 1.47 compared to Villa's meager 0.13, highlighting their dominance and wasted chances.
The sending off of Konsa continues a trend for the Villa defender, who has now been dismissed three times in the Premier League since the start of the 2021-22 season, more than any other player in the competition during that period.
Despite playing with ten men for over 20 minutes, Aston Villa showcased their resilience. They are now unbeaten in their last 19 home matches in the Premier League, a testament to their strength at Villa Park. This run is their longest unbeaten streak at home in the Premier League era.
Newcastle's struggles without Isak continue. The Magpies have failed to win any of their last six Premier League games when he is absent and have failed to score in their last four. During those matches, Newcastle has managed 75 shots and accumulated an xG of 9.4, underscoring their struggles to find the back of the net without their talisman.
The match served as a reminder that a team can dominate a game, create numerous chances, and still fail to secure a victory. For Newcastle, the focus will be on finding ways to win without Isak and improving their conversion rate in front of goal. Villa will celebrate a point earned against the odds, a testament to their resilience and defensive organization.