NO ALEX, NO SPARK

Twas hard to know which hurt more for Newcastle — the missing Alexander Isak or the fact all three points went begging.

- John Richardson

While the Swede went on strike as he tries to force a move to Liverpool, his teammates didn’t show up in front of goal.

For much of the second half, Eddie Howe’s side enjoyed a one-man advantage, with Villa defender Ezri Konsa sent off for denying Anthony Gordon a clear run at goal. But gusty Villa hung on to extend their unbeaten home run to 22 games, stretching back 12 months.

Gordon was thrust into Isak’s No.9 role and must have run the equivalent of a marathon, but there was no gold medal as chances came and went.

When Toon did threaten, they found Villa keeper Marco Bizot a more than adequate stand-in for the suspended Emi Martinez.