Bizot mans the ramparts to protect Villa's fortress

TEN-MAN Villa's opening-day stalemate against Newcastle meant they will now go more than a calendar year without a home defeat in the Premier League.

- By JOHN TOWNLEY

The goalless draw between two sides who look set to compete for a place in the top six this season was a better result for Villa, who had Ezri Konsa sent off in the 66th minute for hauling down Anthony Gordon when he was through on goal

Villa were actually in the ascendency when Konsa was dismissed but they held firm and never really looked like conceding.

Newcastle felt the absence of wantaway striker Alexander Isak as they missed clear-cut chances in the first half, huffed and puffed against ten men, but never really looked like winning it.

“We are not happy when we are losing two points at home,’ said Villa manager Unai Emery. “But after the red card we have to feel confident for the next matches. The red card completely changed the match.

“We have to feel happy and proud of our work and this is the level we want to achieve against teams like Newcastle.

“This is the level we are going to face this year in the Premier League and Europa League”

Emery hailed Marco Bizot's perfect start to life at Villa after keeping a clean sheet on his debut.

Newcastle had the first big chance in the opening minutes when Anthony Elanga was played in on goal, but Bizot denied him in a one-on-one.