Aston Villa and Newcastle United shared the spoils in an entertaining goalless Premier League draw at Villa Park.

The visitors shaded proceedings but were let down by poor finishing and are still yet to score this season.
Villa faded after a bright first half and were unable to make it back-to-back-wins to kick off a campaign for the first time since 1999.

Magpies’ debutant Siem de Jong could have won it late on before defender Mike Williamson was sent off.

Villa boss Paul Lambert will be pleased with a return of four points from the first six as his side - for now - sit at the top of the table.

He will also take comfort from the blossoming partnership at the heart of his defence between Netherlands centre-half Ron Vlaar and new man Philippe Senderos.

However, it was the visitors who spent long periods of the second period on the front foot and will consider themselves unlucky not to have taken all three points.

For Alan Pardew, the wait for a first Premier League goal of the season goes on but he will be encouraged by an impressive cameo from the bench by attacking midfielder De Jong.

The Netherlands international came closest to winning it when he latched onto Ayoze Perez’s through ball with a minute left but saw his low effort well saved by Villa keeper Brad Guzan.

Both sides had chances in an open first half but were let down by wayward finishing.

With former Liverpool loanee Aly Cissokho a menace from left-back, Villa went closest through impressive winger Charles N’Zogbia, who curled a free-kick narrowly wide against his former club.

Newcastle’s Yoan Gouffran should have done a lot better when he was left unmarked while Emmanuel Riviera registered the Magpies’ first on-target effort of the season, but Guzan easily held his tame poke.

Right-back Daryl Janmaat twice went close for Newcastle after the break with a header and a fizzing drive.
Magpies centre-half Williamson hit an air shot from Cabella’s looping pass before substitute De Jong almost snatched the three points.

Williamson saw red in injury time after fouling Villa’s recalled striker Darren Bent and midfielder Fabi1n Delph in the space of four minutes.

Villa have finished in the bottom six in the past three seasons but with Belgium striker Christian Benteke set to return from injury before the end of next month and a seemingly resolute backline, they will be confident of improving on their poor showing in recent seasons.