United’s demise much exaggerated as by far the better team – It ends Aston Villa 0 Newcastle 0

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·16 August 2025

United’s demise much exaggerated as by far the better team – It ends Aston Villa 0 Newcastle 0

Aston Villa 0 Newcastle 0 – Saturday 16 August 2025 12.30pm

A competitive debut for Anthony Elanga and as expected, Anthony Gordon playing as a false nine.

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Ramsdale and Thiaw making the bench and a strong set of subs, at least at the back!

United quick out of the traps and going on to dominate the first half.

Only a couple of minutes in and Tonali sends Elanga through one on one, only for the keeper to do well and save, though the former Forest player should have scored.

The movement of the front three excellent and Gordon should score from a Barnes cross but clears the bar, Elanga then firing wide from another Barnes ball.

All Newcastle as Villa struggling to provide any threat.

Heading past the midway point and Gordon has an effort blocked, a Schar effort over the bar.

Newcastle continuing in the ascendancy and by half-time everything but the goal (or more) that United deserved. As you can see by the half-time stats below, eight shots from Newcastle, none for the hosts.

No surprise to see Villa come out with more about them, no doubt a rocket from Emery.

Two minutes after the break and Villa’s first effort on target, Kamara’s header straight at Pope though.

United defending well though and Villa struggling to create a real threat, with 65 minutes on the clock Pope a comfortable save from Watkins.

Gordon then played through, only for Ezri Konsa to drag him down, a very easy red card. VAR confirming the on-field referee’s decision.

United picking up the pace again with the man advantage, Schar firing over from outside the box and then a Gordon effort blocked.

Elanga could be well satisfied with how he played on his debut, replaced by Jacob Murphy with 12 minutes to go.

Villa sub Malen then providing a threat, his effort saved low bottom left corner by Nick Pope with three minutes of normal time remaining.

Barnes then straight up the other end, only to see his effort from outside the box go wide. The winger then replaced by Will Osula.

Into added time and this time Gordon shooting from outside the box but the Villa keeper able to save in the bottom right corner.

Will Osula having a shot blocked and United forcing some late corners.

It wasn’t to be though, Newcastle having to settle for a point.

I think though a moral victory for Eddie Howe and his players, by some distance the better team despite being away from home. United dominating the first half and whilst Villa had a bit of a go after the break, Newcastle looking comfortable at the back.

People will of course say ‘if only Newcastle had a striker/Isak‘ on the pitch…but then only a handful of competitive matches ago, Newcastle United came to Villa Park and had virtually zero goal threat, with Alexander Isak starting the game!

I am not saying that Gordon as a false nine is a season-long cunning plan, however, the way the front three showed great movement and creativity, especially in the first half, isn’t necessarily what we would have seen with Isak or any other natural centre-forward on the pitch.

Both Elanga and Gordon in particular had great chances but didn’t take them, sometimes that is just the way it is. Both of them know how to find the net.

Aston Villa 0 Newcastle 0 – Saturday 16 August 2025 12.30pm

Newcastle United:

Villa

Konsa red card 66

(Stats in brackets are at half-time)

Possession was Newcastle 59% (58%) Villa 41% (42%)

Total shots were Newcastle 16 (8) Villa 3 (0)

Shots on target were Newcastle 3 (2) Villa 3 (0)

Corners were Newcastle 6 (3) Villa 3 (2)

Touches in the box Newcastle 33 (18) Villa 14 (5)

Newcastle team v Aston Villa:

Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Joelinton (Miley 83), Tonali, Bruno, Barnes (Osula 90), Gordon, Elanga (Jacob Murphy 78)