Newcastle showed both their unity without Alexander Isak and how much they lack his goalscoring threat. Despite controlling the game before and after Ezri Konsa’s red card for Aston Villa, Eddie Howe’s side had to settle for a draw against the team they narrowly beat to a Champions League spot last season.
Still hoping to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford and having let Callum Wilson join West Ham on a free transfer, Newcastle fielded three wingers in attack, only bringing on their sole recognized striker, Will Osula, in the 90th minute.
Villa, whose fans voiced frustration at Premier League financial rules limiting their summer spending, overcame a slow start to defend resolutely with ten men in the final stages and secure a point.
Isak’s ongoing absence has hurt Newcastle, and the fans made their feelings clear after the final whistle with a chant: “There’s only one greedy bastard.” The team and supporters showed full commitment in this frantic season opener.
Much of the pre-match talk focused on transfers that didn’t materialize. Villa had planned to ease financial concerns by selling academy product Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle for £39m but ended up signing backups instead—Ivory Coast striker Evann Guessand (£26m), who started on the bench, and Dutch goalkeeper Marco Bizot, who made his debut filling in for the suspended Emi Martínez.
Martínez’s red card on the final day of last season, in Villa’s defeat to Manchester United, had handed Newcastle the final Champions League place.
After winning the Carabao Cup (their first trophy since 1969) and finishing fifth to return to Europe’s elite competition, this should have been a celebratory summer for Newcastle fans. Instead, the Isak saga has cast a shadow.
Eddie Howe admitted the striker’s push for a move to Liverpool affected pre-season morale and that he would only select players committed to Newcastle. The starting XI at Villa Park certainly showed that commitment, dominating the game and creating numerous first-half chances.
Their attacking intent was clear from kickoff, with Sandro Tonali immediately playing for territory near the corner flag. Within three minutes, Anthony Elanga forced Bizot into a sharp save, and Newcastle’s pacey frontline kept Villa under constant pressure. Anthony Gordon headed over from a Harvey Barnes cross, who later set up Elanga for a volley that was blocked.
Villa struggled to gain a foothold. Bizot, signed from Brest, made another fine save to deny Gordon from distance, while Villa’s deep defensive line failed to contain Newcastle’s relentless attacks.
It wasn’t that Villa played poorly—Newcastle simply outworked them. Nick Pope barely had a save to make in the Newcastle goal.Aston Villa struggled in the first half, failing to create any real chances—their expected goals tally was zero by halftime. Ollie Watkins, who had scored within 40 seconds in their 4-1 win over Newcastle back in April, worked tirelessly down the flanks, but apart from Morgan Rogers, Villa lacked support in attack. They were simply too exhausted trying to keep up with Newcastle’s intensity.
Villa came out stronger after the break, and Boubacar Kamara should have done better with their first real opportunity, heading John McGinn’s cross straight at goalkeeper Nick Pope. Later, Pope denied Watkins again as Villa finally gained control of the game.
Then came the turning point. Anthony Elanga picked up the ball near midfield, and Anthony Gordon timed his run perfectly, sprinting past the halfway line and defender Ezri Konsa. When Konsa pulled Gordon back to stop his charge toward goal, referee Craig Pawson had no choice but to show a straight red card.
From then on, it was a training-ground exercise of attack versus defense. Villa dropped into a 4-4-1 shape, with Tyrone Mings marshaling the backline, and they held firm. Villa had won their last nine games with Mings starting—a small consolation for both sides to take forward.
FAQS
### **FAQs About Ezri Konsa’s Red Card & Newcastle’s Struggles Without Alexander Isak**
#### **General Questions**
**Q1: Why was Ezri Konsa sent off in the Aston Villa vs. Newcastle match?**
A: Konsa received a second yellow card for a late challenge, resulting in a red card and his dismissal from the game.
**Q2: Did Newcastle score after Konsa was sent off?**
A: No, Newcastle failed to score despite playing against 10 men for part of the match.
**Q3: Was Alexander Isak playing for Newcastle in this match?**
A: No, Isak was unavailable, and Newcastle struggled to create chances without their main striker.
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#### **Tactical & Performance Questions**
**Q4: How did Konsa’s red card affect Aston Villa’s defense?**
A: Villa had to reorganize with 10 men, making them more defensive, but they held on to avoid conceding.
**Q5: Why did Newcastle struggle to score without Isak?**
A: Isak is their primary goal threat; without him, they lacked sharpness in attack and couldn’t break Villa down.
**Q6: Who replaced Isak for Newcastle, and how did they perform?**
A: Callum Wilson likely started, but he was ineffective, missing key chances to score.
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#### **Disciplinary & Refereeing Questions**
**Q7: Was Konsa’s red card justified?**
A: Yes, it was a second bookable offense, and the referee followed the rules correctly.
**Q8: How many games will Konsa miss due to suspension?**
A: A straight red would mean a 3-game ban, but since it was two yellows, he’ll likely miss just 1 match.
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#### **Newcastle’s Attack Without Isak**
**Q9: Has Newcastle struggled without Isak before?**
A: Yes, their attacking play often suffers when he’s absent, as seen in previous matches.
**Q10: What can Newcastle do to improve without Isak?**
A: They need better creativity from midfield and more clinical finishing from backup strikers like Wilson.
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#### **Fan Reactions & Aftermath**
