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By HARRY BAMFORTH, LIVE SPORTS COVERAGE REPORTER and CRAIG HOPE, CHIEF FOOTBALL REPORTER and JAMES SHARPE Updated: 00: 00 AEST, 17 August 2025 71 View comments Follow Daily Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Aston Villa host Newcastle at Villa Park in the Premier League.   We might now have any goals to watch back, which sucks, but there was one big bit of drama in this game. Yep, the red card. Once Anthony Gordon gets through, I have no idea why Ezri Konsa decides to lay hands on him. As soon as a defender does that, the attacker is always going to go down. The ref had no choice but to send him for an early bath. Unai Emery, Aston Villa boss, speaking to TNT Sports: Eddie Howe, Newcastle manager, speaking to BBC Sport: On Alexander Isak saga: I know Newcastle fans will be tired of this narrative and will not want to keep Alexander Isak's name, but it's hard to ignore how much they missed him today. Without him, they aren't the same side. Newcastle have failed to win any of their last six Premier League games without Isak (D4 L2), failing to score in each of their last four, despite having 75 shots (9. 4 x G) across those six matches. Stats don't lie, and Eddie Howe really needs to figure out what he is going to do while Isak continues his strike. Something needs to change. Dan Burn, Newcastle defender, speaking to TNT Sports: I have to say, I can't remember the last time I saw Aston Villa play that poorly under Unai Emery. Even when they lost games last year, they at least showed some gusto going forward and created chances. Today, they had just three shots compared to Newcastle's 16. I know, it's crazy. When you have players like Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins on the pitch, you expect them to create more opportunities than that. A really bad day at the office for Villa, but somehow they ended it with a point on the board. I don't think they will play much worse than that this season. That was such a tough watch, my word. Don't get me wrong, Newcastle had their moments and could easily have scored a couple here today. But that's the thing, they didn't. The visitors wasted some huge chances, and if they don't sort the Alexander Isak situation out soon, or don't sign a new striker, it could be a tough season for them. If Isak was up front for them today, he would have likely bagged a brace with the opportunities the Magpies were serving up. The longer he throws his fit, the more it hurts the team. Well, that was a bit pants. What looked set to be a belter of a lunchtime kick-off proved to be very underwhelming, as it ended in a stalemate at Villa Park. Newcastle had their moments, and Aston Villa went down to 10 men, but you just never felt like a goal was coming. And it never did. Newcastle are throwing everything at this now, but nothing doing. The corner comes to nothing, and then it's another wave of attack that proves unsuccessful. I think this will end all square now. Time is running out for both teams here. Three minutes of stoppage time has flown by, and barely anything has happened here. Just as I do that, William Osula nearly makes me eat my words with an effort from distance. But Tyrone Mings deflects it wide for a corner. Ohhhhh, tasty. .. This one is far from over, as we will watch six more minutes of action at Villa Park. Anthony Gordon marks the start of added time with a decent effort, but Marco Bizot is equal to it. One last throw of the dice from Eddie Howe. He chucks on the only available striker he has in William Osula to try and find a late winner. Harvey Barnes is the player to be hooked. Aston Villa have remembered to attack. The introduction of Donyell Malen seems to have woken up their frontline, and Ollie Watkins shifts the ball into the substitute's path. From a tight angle, he takes a touch and pulls the trigger, but Nick Pope has no problem thwarting the effort. Then up the other end, Harvey Barnes sends the ball to space. Oh, Anthony Gordon. .. that was your MOMENT! Harvey Barnes arrows a stinging pass into Gordon's feet inside the box, and the winger just needs to get it out of his feet and shoot. But it's almost like he didn't think the ball would get to him, so he doesn't sort his feet out, and Aston Villa clear. Sums up this game, to be honest. Better late than never, eh? Unai Emery finally turns to the bench as Donyell Malen comes on to replace John Mc Ginn. A very attacking move for a team with 10 men. Meanwhile, Lewis Miley is on for Joelinton. Yep, this is going to finish 0-0. I have seen all that I have needed to see; there is no way that Newcastle find a winner here. They just aren't getting into good enough positions anymore and are now struggling to break down Aston Villa, who have all hands to the pump. I may be wrong a lot, but I won't be wrong about this. What game is Unai Emery watching? It surely can't be the same one as me? How has he not made a substitution yet? Crazy. He should have made one before the red card anyway, but the fact that he hasn't after it is just mental. Newcastle are not taking advantage of the man advantage, and they really need to change things up. Oh, and that's what Eddie Howe is doing. He hooks Anthony Elanga and brings on Jacob Murphy, who had one hell of a season last term. Can he start this one with a bang? Matty Cash, take a bow. The full-back has just kept his team in this game with a goal-saving block. Harvey Barnes connects beautifully with the ball on the volley at the back post, and it seems destined for the top corner. But Cash throws his body in the way of the ball to save the day. Erm. .. what are you thinking, Anthony Gordon? As you'd expect, Newcastle are all over Aston Villa now, and when Gordon gets the ball 35 yards out, he has so many options. But for some reason, he thinks it's clever to have a crack rather than pass. Of course, it isn't. His ferocious effort ends up smashing Matty Cash in the face, and the momentum is gone. How much will this game change now then? That is exactly what Newcastle needed because they were slowly sinking further and further back in their half. With one extra man, surely they will start to create some chances again? Ezri Konsa, what are you doing? Aston Villa are down to 10 men, and it's all down to a moment of madness from Konsa. Anthony Gordon is away on the counter, and Konsa decides it's a good idea to push him to the ground as the last man. It doesn't take Craig Pawson long to get the red card out. I bet Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon are regretting missing those chances now. The way this is going, they won't get another. Just as I tyoe that, Ollie Watkins has a pop of his own from deep, and boy, does he hit it hard. It's a good strike, but it's straight down the throat of Nick Pope. Oh, deary me. .. Dan Burn and Fabian Schar are having a right old chuckle now, but more in the 'if you don't laugh, you'll cry' kind of way. Brun Guimaraes whips a ball to the back post, and both defenders have their eyes on it. The ball drops, and the pair then collide. No communication there. Yep, that's a yellow. Boubacar Kamara has gone apoplectic after being booked for hacking down Anthony Elanga, but I have no idea why. He literally clatters him to the ground as the Swede looks to race away - a definite yellow. Oh, stop that, Morgan Rogers. That is a filthy little flick to allow Ollie Watkins to race away down the left, similar to the one that Hugo Ekitike did last week. But Watkins can't make the most of the opportunity, and his cross is cleared. It's all Villa. Oh, what a cross that is. Wow. Youri Tilemens whips in a belter of a cross following the corner, and it's just screaming for someone to put their head on it. But his Aston Villa team-mates are all asleep, and Tielemans is absolutely fuming at them. That ball deserved a finish. Newcastle can't get out here, the momentum in this game has completely switched. Now it's the Magpies making sloppy passes, and Amadou Onana manages to win the ball and set Villa on their way. Lucas Digne then wins a corner, and the Holte End erupts like they have scored a goal. Whatever Unai Emery said to his players at the break, it's certainly working. Aston Villa have come out looking like a completely different team, and are piling the pressure on Newcastle now. I don't want to jinx anything, but we may finally have a game. Aston Villa have woken up, at last! Boubacar Kamara is the first player to have a pop for the hosts, getting on the end of a cross. He just has to try and guide the ball into the corner, but he heads the ball straight at Nick Pope. Much better, though. No changes for now, somewhat surprisingly. Both teams have come back out to some cracking music, and we are back underway. Let's hope for some better footie this half. This feels like a lifetime ago. Just three minutes into his debut, Anthony Elanga found himself through on goal. It would have been the opportunity he dreamed of last night. But he wasted it. Marco Bizot does well to make the save, but Elanga really should have scored that. I can't remember the last time I saw Aston Villa struggle that much going forward. Morgan Rogers was anonymous, Ollie Watkins got no service, and well, John Mc Ginn has done diddly. Villa failed to have a single shot on goal in those 45 minutes. Yep, you really are reading that right. Crazy, really. But somehow, they are still in this game. Oh, thank goodness for the whistle. A game that started with such promise, with Newcastle knocking at the door, became incredibly tough to watch by the end of that half. Aston Villa really are miles off the pace, and over time have brought Newcastle down to their level. Surely it can only get better? We have our first yellow card of this game, and I bet you could guess who has received it. Yep, it's Joelinton. He hardly ever manages to see out a game without doing something worthy of a booking. Please give me something to talk about, I beg. I bigged this up as a belter of a game, and right now it's the complete opposite, a snooze-fest. Luckily, I got my eight hours last night, because otherwise I'd be crashing out. This game is starting to get a little boring guys, I can't lie. All there is to talk about now are misplaced passes and failed dribbles, which isn't a good sign. If it doesn't perk up before half-time, I may end up asking you all what you are having for lunch. Yep, that's what kind of game this is. Has Unai Emery given his players any passing drills to do this summer? If he has, it doesn't look like it. Honestly, I have lost count just how many times Aston Villa have given the ball away. And that is what I was talking about. Newcastle lose the ball high up, and suddenly they have all sorts of problems as Ollie Watkins races away on the counter. He drives all the way into the box, but in the end, is crowded out by a bunch of green shirts, and his low cross is cleared. But that is why Newcastle need to be wary. That's the thing, it's still goalless despite all of Newcastle's pressure. As I type this post, Fabian Schar leans back and nearly sends the ball to the moon from miles out. The longer Newcastle fail to score while on top, the more it will give Aston Villa some hope. They need to make the most of this good spell. Jeeez, Aston Villa are having a honking game. They are just so sloppy, and Newcastle are picking off every pass that they make. This is not the start Unai Emery will have wanted to see. You know those roars from the Aston Villa fans I was talking about? Well, they are gone. Now all you can hear are groans from the home crowd because Aston Villa are really struggling here. They can't seem to string even three passes together. Newcastle miles on top. Another chance for Newcastle. .. but the net is yet to bulge. As Craig says, there is a theme emerging. It's Anthony Gordon again, who receives the ball on the edge of the box, and he zips a great strike low toward the bottom corner. It looks like it may sneak in, but Marco Bizot does extremely well to get across and palm the ball behind for a corner. Newcastle are going to regret these missed chances, you feel. Dan Burn, you silly billy. He doesn't even try to hide his foul on Ollie Watkins, shoving the striker to the ground in a rather less than subtle fashion. Never getting away with that. Aston Villa are living a charmed life at the back. Newcastle are creating some pretty good chances, and once again, one falls to Anthony Elanga. Tino Livramento chips the ball to the back stick, and Elanga shapes up to volley, but boy, does he get it all wrong. The Swede miscues his effort and Villa survive. Alexander Isak would have scored that. .. Anthony Gordon gets on the end of a beautiful cross, and the ball is screaming to be headed home. But the winger isn't quite tall enough to keep his header down, and it sails over the bar. I wonder what Isak is thinking while watching that at home. You feel as though the first goal in this game will be huge. If it goes to Newcastle, we have a real game on our hands, but if Aston Villa score first, it could be a long afternoon for the visitors. It's very even at the moment, though, so I have absolutely no idea who will bag the opener. Just as long as there is a goal, eh? This has been a breathless start, my word. Both teams are going at it, and whenever Aston Villa drive forward, there is a huge roar from the home fans. But suddenly they fall silent and all you can hear is 'wheyyy' from the away end as Matty Cash sends a cross out for a goal kick. Not his best delivery. .. Oh, Anhtony Elanga. .. I can't believe it, Newcastle's new boy really should give Newcastle the perfect start as he races clear. He just has Marco Bizot to beat in goal, and you'd back him to do it. But nope, Aston Villa's new man in between the sticks manages to get a strong hand to Elanga's effort. Harvey Barnes then wants a penalty, but his Tom Daley impression doesn't fool the ref. What has Bruno Guimaraes done to his hair? There is bleaching it blonde or platinum, and then there is that. His hair is blinding me. I suspect his hero is Wayne Lineker because he has modelled his new haircut after him. Right then, off we go. There is a massive roar from the Holte End as the referee brings the curtain up on Aston Villa and Newcastle's season. Let's hope for a cracker. In every single Premier League match this weekend, there will be a minute's silence ahead of kick-off in tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. It's observed beautifully well by those inside Villa Park, as we remember a great striker, and above all, a great man. Aston Villa fans love a tifo, don't they? They have one in the Holte End right now that says 'No limit to our dreams' with a huge picture of Unai Emery. Not their best, but still a pretty cool one. The players now emerge into a vibrant Villa Park to Crazy Train, while fans chant 'Villa, Villa, Villa' - creative, I know. Sadly, it's all halted by the Premier League anthem, which, if you know me well, you'll know I don't like. Thankfully, it's not very long. Guys, we are nearly there. If you weren't already excited for this game, you surely must be now. There are less than 10 minutes until kick off. The warm-ups are complete and the Villa players have just been applauded in by their fans, who seem well up for this game. It's going to be a cracking atmosphere come kick-off. Ezri Konsa, Aston Villa defender, on TNT Sports: I suspect that the Newcastle fans inside Villa Park won't be the most confident right now. Why is that? Well, on most occasions when they have visited Aston Villa's famous ground recently, they have come away with nowt. Newcastle have lost five of their last six Premier League away games against Aston Villa, with the exception being a 3-1 victory in January 2024. Can they bag a rare win today? Unai Emery, Aston Villa boss, speaking to TNT Sports: All aboard! This is the first Premier League match at Villa Park since the death of Black Sabbath lead singer, and rock music legend, Ozzy Osbourne. Only six weeks ago, the legend was belting out Crazy Train in front of a sell-out crowd at his favourite stadium. I'm sure we will hear that track at some point today. Wayne Rooney, former Man United striker, on BBC Sport: Eddie Howe, Newcastle boss, speaking to TNT Sports about Alexander Isak: OK, let's talk about it. The fact that the Alexander Isak saga is still going on is almost getting a bit jarring; it feels like it's been going on forever, and there is no conclusion in sight. Isak says he will never play for Newcastle again, but the Magpies refuse to let him go. It's what we call a Mexican stand-off. Has he played his last game in black and white? Maybe he has, but that doesn't necessarily mean he will get his move to Liverpool this summer. What I will say, though, is that Eddie Howe really needs a new striker, looking at that team today. Anthony Gordon is not the long-term solution. Here is the confirmation. Anthony Gordon will indeed start up front, with new signing Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes starting on either side of him. Latest summer signing Malick Thiaw is on the bench, while there is no return to Villa Park for incoming Jacob Ramsey just yet, as he is yet to be confirmed as a Newcastle player. I won't make you wait any longer. You may notice that there is no Emi Martinez in between the sticks for Aston Villa, and that's because he is suspended for picking up a red card at the back end of last season. So, Marco Bizot starts in goal. Other than that, it's pretty much the same team that we saw play week in, week out, last season. The team news is out. If you know me, I love to tease a bit of team news now and then before giving you the full spiel. Mean? Yes. Necessary? Double yes. I will give you a little nugget of information before posting the full team news, though. Unless you have been living under a rock, you will know that Alexander Isak is nowhere near the Newcastle first team as he continues to throw a hissy fit to get a move away from the club. So, today, Anthony Gordon will fill in for him up top. Before we get tucked into the build-up, I reckon it would be a good idea to give you teh schedule of the day. To say it's action-packed is an understatement; be prepared to be locked into your phone and/or your TV all day. Here is today's schedule: By Harry Bamforth Right, shall we rewind back to last night for a sec? That was one hell of a match to open the new Premier League season. Six goals, a comeback, and a late winner leading to incredible limbs. The top flight is well and truly back, and you just love to see it. Liverpool looked like they were cruising to an opening-day win when new striker Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring, and then Cody Gakpo added a second. But then Antoine Semenyo, who showed his bravery to even still be on the pitch after he was allegedly racially abused by a fan, bagged a brace to complete an incredible fightback for Bournemouth. It looked like the Cherries were on their way to a famous draw, but then Federico Chiesa truly became a Kopite. The Italian winger came off the bench to win the match with just two minutes to go, sending Anfield into a frenzy, before Mohamed Salah added polish to the result with a stoppage-time strike. Much of the night has been overshadowed by the report of racial abuse toward Semenyo, which is a shame, and now the police are conducting an investigation into the incident. Let's hope it is sorted and that Semenyo is OK. By Harry Bamforth Oh yes, we're back, baby! I am only just recovering from yesterday, after what was one hell of an opening night. Does anybody else still have the Federico Chiesa song stuck in their head? You can hear them crying. .. Anyway, I need to stop and move on. The first Saturday of the Premier League season and it starts with a belter of a match. Aston Villa and Newcastle are two teams who have broken up the big boys toward the top of the league in the last few seasons, and this lunchtime they face off at Villa Park. Expect a belter of a 90 minutes. I am. The fans are flocking in, the players are here, and everything is ready to go. So, shall we get cracking? Yes, we shall. Why are Newcastle playing in some hideous, nondesc. ..

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