Newcastle United drew their first game of the Championship season as Aston Villa snatched a late point as the game finished 1-1 at Villa Park.
Newcastle United have now gone two games without a win as Aston Villa grabbed a late equaliser as the match ended 1-1 at Villa Park.
An own goal by Villa summer signing Tommy Elphick gave the Magpies the lead in the first half as they lead 1-0 at the break.
And despite having numerous chances to extend their lead, United could not make their dominance count as Villa started to get back into the game in the latter stages.
Then in the last minute of normal time, the Villans’ were rewarded as substitute Aaron Tshibola headed in an equaliser as the hosts claimed yet another draw in the Championship.
The result means Newcastle drop to fifth, four points behind leaders Norwich, while Villa rise a place to 17th with nine points from their opening nine matches.
Here are five things we learned from the match:
1. DeAndre Yedlin is a different but positive stand-in for Vurnon Anita
Arguably Newcastle’s best player on the night, DeAndre Yedlin was a constant thorn in Villa’s side with his pace and work rate down the right flank.
The United States international was a constant outlet and his positive driving runs forward caused the home side a number of problems, not least when Tommy Elphick turned in Yedlin’s low cross into his own net to give the Magpies the lead.
Vurnon Anita had been one of United’s best players so far this season at right-back so when he was shown a straight red in last weekend’s home defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, people hoped Yedlin would be able to step-up and deliver straight away.
Thankfully the 23-year-old has almost exceeded expectations with two impressive performances down the right against Wolves in the EFL Cup and Villa on Saturday in the Championship.
Yedlin was linking up with Matt Ritchie excellently and causing Villains’ full-back Jordan Amavi all sorts of problems. So it was no surprise that once the Magpies’ right-back was forced off through injury, Villa started to get a foothold in the match and ultimately equalised.
Where Anita brings a level of composed professionalism to his play, Yedlin is quite the opposite – but in a good way. Always looking to drive forward and get at the defence with his frightening pace and tenacity, the former Sunderland man offers something different to the side, something fans will appreciate.
2. Keeper troubles continue to haunt Newcastle
Newcastle have had their fair share of keeper problems in recent years with the likes of Rob Elliot, Tim Krul and even Karl Darlow picking up long term injuries which have left the side alarmingly short of options between the sticks.
So when Newcastle shelled out £5m for 24-year-old Belgian keeper of the year Matz Sels, it seemed as though goalkeeper troubles would no longer be such a problem for the club.
But since his arrival, Sels has been far from convincing and has arguably been partly at fault for a number of the goals United have conceded this season – including Tshibola’s equaliser at Villa Park.
To his credit, the Belgian did keep four straight clean sheets in the Championship though he hasn’t really been tested too much in the majority of matches.
Sels indecisiveness for crosses and lack of conviction have been evident and while it’s important that fans and players support their keeper, the fact that current second choice keeper Darlow has put in two impressive EFL Cup performances isn’t helping the Belgian’s case to retain his spot.
Rafa Benitez’s rotation policy is made clear by the fact that Sels is the only United player to have started in every league match so far this season – so perhaps it is time to give Darlow a chance.
The Spaniard has so far been almost immune to criticism as Newcastle manager though if he were to persist with Sels, who continued to make errors, while Darlow kept up his fine form in the cup – then fans may start to question his judgement, if they haven’t already.
3. Cheick Tiote is still here and ready to play
For what was arguably Newcastle’s biggest match of the season so far, Cheick Tiote made a surprise appearance from the bench as a second half substitute.
The midfielder’s time at the club looked set to come to an end in the summer following relegation with several clubs poised to sign the 30-year-old.
A proposed move to Turkish side Galatasaray looked set only for it to break down at the last minute due to a failed medical. But now with the transfer window over, Tiote looks to have found a way back into the first team.
The Magpies were looking to see out the game as the Ivorian came on to bring some added steel to the midfield and he did just that with a number of interceptions and tough tackles.
Unfortunately Newcastle couldn’t hold out for the win but Tiote’s and evident willingness to play for the club despite previous events can only be a positive thing for the time being.
4. Newcastle need to be more ruthless
Rafa Benitez’s side managed 18 shots at Villa Park but not one of them found the back of the net as numerous opportunities were squandered.
Tommy Elphick’s own goal gave the visitors the lead and Dwight Gayle had a couple of great chances to double their advantage but failed to take them.
A woeful skewed shot by Mohamed Diame was quite possibly the turning point in the match as the Senegalese international ought to have found the back of the net but even failed to hit the target.
For an hour, Newcastle were utterly dominant over their Championship rivals and should have been out of sight by half-time,but they failed to make it count and were ultimately punished as Villa seized their opportunity.
5. Norwich on Wednesday is a must not lose
With just one point from two matches, Newcastle now find themselves four points off the pace at the top of the table and that gap could be extended to seven should Norwich come away from St. James’ Park with a win.
Such a gap wouldn’t be insurmountable for the Magpies but it certainly wouldn’t be ideal considering it would seem them already equal their loss total from their previous Championship campaign, just 10 games into the season.
Conversely, a win would put United right back up there at the top and keep the pressure on the likes of Norwich and Huddersfield.
With the Canaries likely to be the Magpies main promotion contenders, the result of Wednesday evening’s match could prove to have a significant impact on who goes up, and who doesn’t.
Should Matz Sels be dropped by Rafa Benitez?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
