Source: FOOTYMAD
Villa 1 Toon 1
Although ex-Mackem Darren Bent will make the headlines for squandering two golden chances at Villa Park, don't take nothing away from a superb Toon performance. ASTON VILLA 1 NEWCASTLE UTD 1ASTON VILLA: Given, Hutton, Collins, Dunne, Warnock, Bannan (Albrighton 67), Petrov (Ireland 68), Delph, N'Zogbia, Bent (Delfouneso 85), Agbonlahor.Subs Not Used: Guzan, Herd, Lowry, Gardner.NEWCASTLE UTD: Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Ryan Taylor, Obertan, Cabaye, Tiote, Gutierrez (Sammy Ameobi 85), Best (Shola Ameobi 69), Ba (Marveaux 80).Subs Not Used: Elliot, Guthrie, Lovenkrands, Perch.Att: 34, 248 Aston Villa and Newcastle maintained their unbeaten start by sharing the spoils but the Magpies could (and should) have taken the points.Leon best earned Newcastle a point as his third goal of the campaign cancelled out Gabriel Agbonlahor's early opener, but Alan Pardew was rightly proud of his team ... as Newcastle pushed the home side all of the way.Charles N'Zogbia is still struggling to adapt to life at Villa Park after his summer move from Wigan, and he was a shadow of the player that caused us so much trouble last season when returned to St James' Park. It was ironic how Joey Barton motored at 50% of his capabilities at Loftus Road on Monday night playing against his old club, and N'Zogbia was very much the same on Saturday. It was almost as though they didn't want to dent Newcastle's hopes. Newcastle on the other hand, looked full of confidence with midfielders Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye as key figures. The Frenchmanhardly had a kick against QPR, but he was back to his best. Villa were indebted to a fine display from former Magpies keeper Shay Given and defender James Collins in holding on for a point despite Bent's opportunities.The first chance fell to the Magpies with Best teeing up Cabaye 20 yards out and his shot flew only just wide.Newcastle looked purposeful and Given had to be alert to turn a cross from Gabriel Obertan over the bar.But after 13 minutes Agbonlahor put Villa in front via their first meaningful attack.Barry Bannan's left-footed cross picked out the England striker whose initial volley was blocked by Fabricio Coloccini.But the ball dropped back straight into Agbonlahor's path and he made no mistake from close range.Bannan's dipping volley from 25 yards out was only just off target, while Steve Taylor blocked a Stiliyan Petrov effort after good play by Fabian Delph.Bent missed a golden chance to double Villa's lead after 26 minutes. Skipper Petrov manoeuvred his way to the by-line and squared the ball back across the box to the unmarked Bent only for the England player side-footed wide from eight yards out.Newcastle still looked threatening and Given made a fine save to turn aside Steven Taylor's volley from Cabaye's corner.Obertan was causing problems down the right flank and another teasing cross picked out Demba Ba whose shot was deflected for a corner.Agbonlahor came close to striking for the second time a minute after the restart. N'Zogbia played the ball into Agbonlahor's feet and he managed to turn and fire in a low shot which beat the dive of Krul but curled inches wide.Newcastle deservedly got back on level terms after 57 minutes through Best. The former Coventry striker was unmarked at the far post and his initial effort from Tiote's cross produced a fine save from Given, but Best had the easiest of chances to convert the rebound.Petrov was booked for dissent, banging his fist into the turf, after bringing down Best.Bent had another great chance to restore Villa's lead after a mistake by Steven Taylor in trying to deal with substitute Stephen Ireland's centre. Bent, however, failed to make a full contact on his lob over Krul and Steven Taylor was able to make amends for his error by clearing.Albrighton dragged a shot just wide of the far post, before Given made a superb save to turn aside Cabaye's 87th minute piledriver.
