Newcastle demonstrated how united they are without Alexander Isak but also how much they miss his goals. Despite dominating this match, before and after Ezri Konsa was sent off for Aston Villa, Eddie Howe’s side had to settle for a draw against the team they pipped for a Champions League place last season.
Still hoping to buy Yoane Wissa from Brentford and having let the veteran Callum Wilson leave for free to West Ham, Newcastle played three wingers across their frontline and only brought on Will Osula, the one recognised central striker in their squad, in the 90th minute.
Villa, whose fans vented their frustration at the Premier League for the profitability and sustainability rules that have curtailed deepening their squad this summer, survived a sluggish start to defend sternly for the final quarter of the game when they were a player down and earn their point.
Isak’s continued absence has not helped Newcastle and their fans saved their loudest chant of the day till after the final whistle. “There’s only one greedy bastard,” they sang in unison. And how committed were they and their team throughout this frenetic opening game.
Much of the pre-match chatter was about the moves that have not happened. Villa were about to ease their PSR concerns by selling homegrown Jacob Ramsey to these opponents for an initial £39m, but have been restricted to signing backups, in Evann Guessand, the £26m Ivory Coast striker starting on the bench, and Marco Bizot, the Dutch goalkeeper handed a prompt debut as he deputised for the suspended Emi Martínez.
