Aston Villa and Newcastle finished 0-0 in the lunchtime kick-off at Villa Park.

The game was largely uneventful, drab affair bar a minor flashpoint towards the end when Newcastle defender Mike Williamson was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

Despite the lack of cutting edge, Magpies boss Alan Pardew told BT Sport he was pleased with his side's display.

“I really was pleased with the way we controlled the midfield. I felt we was the ones getting the extra passes, we built from the back well and we defended well as well, because you need to do that at Villa.

“So a lot of, lot of good things, without the killer touch.”