Aston Villa 0-0 Newcastle United result - 10-man Villa hold on for draw after Ezri Konsa sees red against visiting side missing Alexander Isak

Ezri Konsa was sent off for Aston Villa midway through the second half, but Newcastle United could not make their extra man count in a breathless 0-0 Premier League draw at Villa Park.

The home defender was handed a red card by referee Craig Pawson after hauling down Anthony Gordon on 66 minutes after the Newcastle forward, who had replaced the absent Alexander Isak up front, looked set to race clear on goal from Anthony Elanga's pass.

As it was, Unai Emery's side held out without too many concerns against a slick but wasteful visiting team, who dominated the first period and should have been ahead at half-time.

Their best chance fell to Elanga on his competitive debut for Newcastle as he bounded in on goal on two minutes, but watched Marco Bizot, in for the suspended Emiliano Martinez, produce a fine diving stop before the unmarked Gordon headed over from a Harvey Barnes cross moments later.

Boubacar Kamara and Ollie Watkins both directed efforts straight at visiting goalkeeper Nick Pope for Villa in the second half, but they were only worth a point from a fairly tepid showing.

Eddie Howe's side host champions Liverpool at St James' Park next Monday with Villa looking for a marked improvement when they visit Brentford on Saturday.

"Its a bit strange because they're a great team and this is a great atmosphere, but in the end we want to win the game," said Anthony Gordon on TNT Sports after replacing Alexander Isak up top.

"We were a little bit sloppy in the final third. I feel we could have done better, but we'll take the point.

"I think once they get the man sent off, we have to be better and a bit more composed around the goal.

"You seen today, we've still got that spirit and togetherness, and it is never going to go regardless of any individual."

Gordon is relishing the visit of champions Liverpool next Monday.

"I'm excited to see the home fans again, get back in the stadium and it is going to a top game."

It ends all square on the opening Saturday of the season. A 0-0 draw which probably suits Villa more than Newcastle. A rare draw for two attacking sides.

The 10 men have done well to close down space as Mings stands tall to block a hopeful effort at goal by William Osula.

Bruno Guimarães should probably have taken a crack at goal, but the pass isn't great and he ends up bringing down Kamara after he made a smart intervention.

Gordon manages to come inside for Newcastle. A fair old distance from goal, but the shot forces Bizot to make a solid save. Decent diving stop.

Off goes Harvey Barnes for the visitors and on comes William Osula. Can he deliver the winner for Howe's men?

The 10 men still dangerous on the break as Malen manages to evade Burn, but the shot is driven straight into the arms of Pope before Barnes fires well over at the other end. Almost heading for added time.

Picks out Gordon with a superb ball from a wide area, but he can't control the delivery, hesitates and the chance is lost as Villa scramble it clear.

Heading for the five minutes of a frantic battle on the opening Saturday of the campaign. Lewis Miley replaces Joelinton for the visitors with Donyell Malen on for John McGinn for Villa.

Would probably be a very decent draw in the circumstances. Outplayed in the first period and down to 10 men midway through the second half.

Livramento with the right idea as he clips a volley across the face of goal. Gordon races in, but just fails to finish off the loose ball. Bizot happy to see it drift out of play.

A pained expression when you know what comes next...

Looks like Newcastle are going to shuffle the pack with Jacob Murphy replacing Anthony Elanga.

Barnes with a brutal volley at the back post. Looked to be heading for the home net, but Cash with another brave block. Took the full brunt of that from the Elanga cross.

Bruno Guimarães tries to unearth a moment of magic of his own, but Bizot is quickly out of his goal to collect. Breathless finale to this match.

Both John McGinn and Tino Livramento in a real scrap for the ball, but it is Livramento who manages to nudge the ball away from the home captain.

Aston Villa have to see this out for another 20 minutes or so. Or at least that will be the hope as Fabian Schar smashes an effort well over after the free-kick chance.