England international Ezri Konsa saw a straight red as Aston Villa battled to a goalless draw against Newcastle United at Villa Park on Saturday, Softfootball reports.
Eddie Howe’s side came into the game without their top scorer last season Alexander Isak as the Sweden international has been angling for a move away from the club while Villa managed to keep Ollie Watkins after heavy interest from Manchester United but they later abandoned their interest, signing Benjamin Sesko instead.
It was interesting to note that Aston Villa played the final 24 minutes plus stoppage time with 10 men but the visitor couldn’t break their tight defence to force a win leaving their fans disappointed at missing the opportunity of getting all three points at stake.
Newly signed winger from Nottingham Forest, Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon wasted Newcastle United’s best chances during a game they dominated for almost the whole duration of 90 minutes.
As reported on Aston Villa’s official club media, Marco Bizot got his Aston Villa debut in the absence of the suspended Emilio Martinez and made a fine save during the encounter to deny new Elanga a goal inside the first three minutes before Gordon planted a free header over just minutes after.
Gordon was deployed as a false nine and he ran the channels very well but he didn’t have the strikers instincts like Isak to put away one of his many chances in the game but he tested Bizot especially in the second half after the red card to Villa’s Konsa but the Magpies failed to make their superiority count.
Villa were colourless during the game especially in the first half when they failed to have a shot on target. They became the first home team to suffer that fate in a Premier League game since Fulham, against Manchester City in May 2024.
Despite returning in the second half with renewed vigour they were hindered by the red card and defended all through the game.
Aston Villa on their official X handle shared the highlight of the match. Watch below:
Action from today's draw against Newcastle United 🎥 pic.twitter.com/vjf4UU5WBP
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 16, 2025
Apart from Boubacar Kamara headed which went straight at Nick Pope and Ollie Watkins right foot shot that was straight at the goalkeeper, the biggest talking point for the home side was Konsa’s red card for pulling back Gordon, who was through on goal but fortunately for the home side the match finished goalless..
