Newcastle Utd 1 Aston Villa 1THIS MATCH did no great harm to either club. For Aston Villa, in particular, there was a first away goal since a draw at Anfield on April 7th.
There was no doubting that Paul Lambert, barely beginning his task as Villa manager, would have been glad of his first point in this campaign. There was boldness from him in his selection of goalkeeper for this draw with Newcastle.
Lambert took care to laud Shay Given as “world class” even if the Irishman was demoted to the bench. Goalkeepers do have longevity but they are no more “ageless” in the end than anyone else on the field. At 36, he is a dozen years older than Brad Guzan.
It was Newcastle who were breached first. That goal came in the 22nd minute when Ciaran Clark headed home from a measured cross delivered by Barry Bannan from the left.
By that stage, Villa were in the ascendant, with more authority and pattern than the hosts could muster. Newcastle did display some urgency after going behind, but Villa can only have been heartened after notching an away goal for the first time since when Chris Herd struck at Anfield last season.
Newcastle would merely have been reminded of difficulties. The lack of the injured Check Tiote from midfield was conspicuous, even if the side did persevere, with Vurnon Anita flighting a delivery that Papiss Cisse headed off-target just before the interval. By then, it was clear, all the same, that Villa had started to relish this occasion.
This match had appeared an invitation for Newcastle to enhance the promise of a satisfying season. They could not do so, with Hatem Ben Arfa’s drive merely cancelling the opener from Clark.
Villa had not seemed to possess the requisite degree of talent to flourish until now and Lambert will be challenged to put his club anywhere near the upper reaches of the table. None the less, his astuteness is vital to Villa and the first point of the campaign must come as a minor relief.
On this occasion, the most eye-catching alteration to the lineup beaten by Everton in the league was the introduction of Guzan in preference to Given. Whatever the reason, Villa generally looked secure before the interval and also merited the lead.
Alan Pardew’s side did not look co-ordinated but they put themselves on level terms with an emphatic shot from Ben Arfa, when he moved in to crack a right-footed drive past Guzan in the 59th minute. It excited his team-mates as much as pace and confidence climbed in this display.
For all that, Villa never capitulated and Stephen Ireland could have regained the lead instead of badly misdirecting a volley in the 80th minute.
Neither side could land a decisive blow, but Lambert’s men can be satisfied, particularly after Guzan’s save from Yohan Cabaye’s free-kick in stoppage time.
Guardian Service
