Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 live

Joelinton is doing well out there. He is giving Tyrone Mings a tough time. I make it three times he has gone past the Villa man now.

Joe Linton is looking very lively for Newcastle.

He causes more problems for Aston Villa from the right, but gives away a cheap foul as he bundles over Tyrone Mings in the penalty area.

Aston Villa respond by winning a corner, but both sides are defending set-pieces well so far and Martin Dubravka is able to catch a header back to him.

This is Newcastle's best period of the match.

Villa are pegged back for the time being, as Trezeguet gives away a free-kick for handball.

They need to make this pressure count...

A promising spell for Newcastle now. What can they make of it?

Paul Dummett's cross travels across the box to Ryan Fraser, who is also unable to find a team-mate in the box.

That allows Dummett a second attempt, but this time Villa do just enough to clear.

Good save by Martin Dubravka!

Trezeguet beats his man and gets himself into the penalty area, but from a tight angle his powerful strike is met by two strong hands from Dubravka.

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 live

Both teams are lacking that bit of quality in the final third. Aston Villa had two opportunities to put the ball into the box, one from the left but there was no-one at the far post. Luiz then whips one in from the right side but again there is no-one at the far post.

A set-piece opportunity for Aston Villa, won by the lively substitute Anwar El Ghazi.

But in keeping with the game so far, the ball into the box is poor.

Newcastle have scored the lowest percentage of their Premier League goals this season in the first half, with 33%, or 9 of their 27, arriving in the first 45 minutes.

Over to Aston Villa, then...

Well, it remains goalless, but both sides are going after this.

Anwar El Ghazi almost makes a near-instant impact as he cuts in from the left and shoots from distance, but Martin Dubravka scoops it up comfortably.

Rob Gibson: Ah man, such good work by Joe, and absolutely 0 confidence or ability to finish sadly

Anwar El Ghazi replaces Bertrand Traore, who can't continue after that fall.

Bertrand Traore is out of action and receiving treatment for the time being.

In the meantime, Newcastle look to make their man advantage count but Jonjo Shelvey fails to trouble Emiliano Martinez with his shot.

Ouch.

Bertrand Traore goes flying over the advertising boards following a race to the byline with Paul Dummett.

It's good defending by Dummett to see the ball out of play, but Traore is in some discomfort here...

Image source, Getty Images

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 live

The one thing you can't have a go at Joelinton for is a lack of work rate. He decided to take that extra touch and it is one touch too many but good work to get in there.

Best chance of the game so far and it falls to Joelinton!

Newcastle's club record signing drives in from the right and sets himself for a shot - but he takes one touch too many and sees his attempt block.

Newcastle get the corner, but it comes to nothing.

Villa work it out nicely from the back and John McGinn drives his side towards the Newcastle box.

Betrand Traore tries to cut in onto his left foot to curl a shot at goal but the hosts have too many bodies back.

Aston Villa are just beginning to assert themselves, and Martin Dubravka comes charging out to prevent Ollie Watkins being first to a ball over the top.

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 live

Both teams have gone at each other from the start. It has been non stop.

Image source, Getty Images

Jamaal Lascelles does well to head away a cross deep into the Newcastle penalty area. Anything else would have caused serious problems. Good defending.