Credit to Joelinton, he's giving this his best.

He gets the better of Matt Target in chasing down a loose ball, but nothing is falling right for Newcastle in the Villa penalty area.

Ahmed El Mohamady whips in a cross from the right, but there's nobody up in support.

There's no way out for Newcastle, but with no gaps appearing Villa are forced to work the ball back to Emiliano Martinez.

Joe Willock does well to wriggle clear of a couple of Villa players and set up an attack, but the visitors get back and regain possession.

That's the sort of spark Newcastle need more of.

We're up and running once again at St James' Park.

Mike Tango Whisky: Bruce tactics - swing balls into the box for 5’4” Ryan Fraser.

Kirk: This second half 4-4 is gonna be amazing!

Loving the optimism Kirk!

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 live

It wasn't a great half and that is being polite.

Plenty of endeavour and no lack of effort from both teams, just a lack of quality in the final third.

For someone to break the deadlock that will have to change.

Not long to go until the second half now.

A point doesn't do much at all for either team, so you'd like to think both Steve Bruce and Dean Smith will tell their players to really go after this.

Fingers crossed.

RTT2021: For all the grief Bruce gets, this team is really terrible! You got feel sorry for those loyal fans who deserve a team to be proud of. Even Shearer must wish for someone to come in and make it better financially. Richard

Jermaine Jenas
Ex-Tottenham and Newcastle midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

I suppose it can get a bit difficult. From the owner's point of view they would say 'I have backed you'.

There are a lot of players that came in. I imagine the conversation was more about quality and what is needed in the Premier League to go to the next level.

He probably feels like he was banging against a door that was not open when he was taking players of a certain price tag to help them keep in the league or help them transform into an established Premier League team.

He obviously feels he wasn't supported in that.

There has been a breakdown in terms of what each other wants and it seems pretty inevitable what the outcome is going to be.

Speaking of Sheffield United, there has still not been any confirmation of Chris Wilder's exit.

Jermaine Jenas has been giving his thoughts on it all over on BBC Radio 5 Live...

Only Sheffield United (22) have failed to score in the first half of more Premier League games this season than Newcastle United (21).

Zahi: Footage of this game should be prescribed for insomnia

Zahi disagrees...

What Alan said, basically.

It could have been a lot worse, in fairness.

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 live

There has been a distinct lack of quality from both teams in the final third. Both have got into decent positions but not really threatened enough.

Emil Krafth chops down Anwar El Ghazi as he attempts to launch a Villa counter-attack before the break.

But that's all for the first half!

Just one minute of added time to come.

It feels a bit like a cup match at the end of this first half, you can't knock the effort levels from both sides.

Villa go forward now, but they continue to sorely miss Jack Grealish's quality in the final third and the attack fizzles out.

Newcastle break forward and have three against three in attack, but they take too long and John McGinn recovers to cut out Ryan Fraser's throughball towards Dwight Gayle.

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 live

I think Newcastle have been in some good positions but it is the lack of threat in the box at the minute. They've had four or five good balls in but no-one on the end of it.

Steve Bruce will be pleased with what he's seen from his side so far as we edge towards half-time.

Equally, he must be thinking if Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin or Miguel Almiron were on the pitch his side may have their noses in front.