Aston Villa 0-0 Newcastle: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Ezri Konsa sees red in Villa Park stalemate

Aston Villa had central defender Ezri Konsa sent off in a goalless draw with Newcastle United on the opening weekend of the new Premier League campaign.

Konsa was given his marching orders in the second period for a last-man foul on Anthony Gordon, but Newcastle could not make their man advantage count in order to claim all three points at Villa Park.

In the end, both managers will be content with a point, but the match demonstrated Newcastle's need to bring in a centre-forward if they lose star man Alexander Isak before the end of the transfer window.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

No Isak, no party for Newcastle.

Had the Sweden international been involved in this match, then it would not have been a surprise to see Newcastle score late on, as the Magpies were putting the pressure on Villa following the Konsa red card.

However, their lack of a striker was apparent, failing to find the back of the net despite having 16 attempts, and it is an issue that needs to be resolved as soon as possible.

These are two teams that are expected to be in the mix for the top six again during the 2025-26 campaign, and in truth, there was not much between them, with both having their moments over the course of the 90 minutes.

It will not go down as a Premier League classic, and both struggled in the final third of the field, but the two managers will be pleased to have started their respective Premier League campaigns with a clean sheet.

ASTON VILLA VS. NEWCASTLE HIGHLIGHTS

Red card: Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa, 66th min)

Villa are reduced to 10 men in the 66th minute of the match, as Konsa pulls Gordon to the ground when the Newcastle forward was racing through towards the goal.

Ezri Konsa is shown a straight red for pulling down Anthony Gordon on the counter-attack ?

Watch live on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/xTExF9rwQe
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 16, 2025

MAN OF THE MATCH - AMADOU ONANA

Villa needed their midfield to hold firm after losing Konsa to a red card, and Onana was terrific for the home side in the middle, with the 24-year-old covering the ground brilliantly.

Onana also made two tackles and completed two successful dribbles, and there is no question that he was vital to the hosts picking up a welcome point against Newcastle in their opening match of the new season.

ASTON VILLA VS. NEWCASTLE MATCH STATS

Possession: Aston Villa 41%-59% Newcastle

Shots: Aston Villa 3-16 Newcastle

Shots on target: Aston Villa 3-3 Newcastle

Corners: Aston Villa 3-6 Newcastle

Fouls: Aston Villa 13-11 Newcastle

BEST STAT

Ezri Konsa is the first player to be sent off in the Premier League this season ? pic.twitter.com/6ExBsEaqT2
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 16, 2025

WHAT NEXT?

Villa will be on the road for their next Premier League match on August 23, with Unai Emery's side set to tackle Brentford in their second game of the 2025-26 campaign.

Newcastle, meanwhile, will be at St James' Park for their second match of the new campaign, and it will be the champions Liverpool that visit the famous stadium on August 25.