Now Aston Villa have a free-kick right on the edge of the box after DeAndre Yedlin barges Jack Grealish over.

The Villa skipper was in on goal there.

Closest we have come so far.

Villa work is patiently once more, Jack Grealish playing it on to Douglas Luiz 25 yards out.

The Brazilian takes a touch and curls a strike towards the top corner, but Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka dives full stretch to tip the ball over.

A stunning save, David De Gea-esque.

Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin is almost too quick for his own good, running past the ball on the edge of the box.

But he does earn a free-kick down the left edge under a challenge from Frederic Guilbert, but Magpies skipper Jonjo Shelvey curls it straight into the hands of goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

Wasted.

Chris Sutton
Former Aston Villa striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

The issue for Newcastle is Joelinton is so isolated. One long ball up to him and there's not one other Newcastle player within touching distance.

70% possession for Aston Villa so far.

Newcastle won't mind that, they are the lowest ranked team in terms of possession so far this season.

Newcastle's £40m striker Joelinton causing the Villa backline some issues.

The Brazilian drives into the box with a bustling run, but there is no team-mate in support and the four chasing players are able to gain possession back.

Chris Sutton
Former Aston Villa striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

The worry for Aston Villa at the moment is they have had two corners and Newcastle have been at their most dangerous on the break.

Aston Villa fans wanted a penalty but it wasn't one for me. Dean Smith will be happy with Villa's start but nothing clear cut as of yet.

Villa want a penalty after John McGinn goes down in the box under a challenge from Jetro Willems.

Nothing doing, the Dutchman got the ball fairly.

Even VAR won't give that one.

Mike Riley breathes a sigh of relief.

One end to the other.

Newcastle clear a corner and Allan Saint-Maximin starts his run from his own area before making his way unchallenged to the other.

The summer signing lays the ball off for Miguel Almiron, but the Paraguayan cannot sort his feet out and the chance is lost.

Glenn Crake: Fully expect these two to be fighting it out to avoid a bottom 3 spot at the end of the season

Whatever BBC Radio 5 Live do tonight after the game, do NOT invite Allan Saint-Maximin on for an interview.

Chris Sutton
Former Aston Villa striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Newcastle are just sitting in, five across the back, and looking to use that pace of Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin to maximum effect when they're breaking out.

Aston Villa doing all the punching in the opening exchanges, bit like Luis Ortiz v Deontay Wilder on Saturday night, but can they fight a decisive blow?

We know what happened in that contest...

Chris Sutton
Former Aston Villa striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

A shake of the head from Anwar El Ghazi - why didn't he just stick a foot out? He doesn't stretch but it was a wonderful ball in Matt Targett.

Nice keep-ball from Villa, looking confident in possession.

John McGinn feeds it wide to Matt Targett - via Jack Grealish's dummy - and plays a delightful low cross into the box, but Anwar El Ghazi cannot stretch enough to convert from inside the six yard box.

Allan Saint-Maximin on the ball for the first time in a dangerous position.

He sprints forward, shifts it onto his left peg inside the area, but the low cross is blocked at the near post.

The physio trots on to take a look at Jack Grealish - the most fouled player in the Premier League this season.

A bit of water applied and the Villa skipper is OK to continue.

One to keep an eye on.

Image source, Reuters

Oh no.

Jack Grealish, who has been out of action for four weeks because of a calf injury, has gone down after a 50-50 challenge with Joelinton.

The Newcastle striker caught him on the shin.

Bob Moss: Villa vs Newcastle has 0-0 written all over it. Let's hope I am wrong and it's a 5-5 epic.

Chris Sutton
Former Aston Villa striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Newcastle break so quickly but that was a 'mind the windows' job from Miguel Almiron.