Hatem Ben Arfa earns Newcastle share of spoils against Aston Villa - The Guardian

This match had appeared an invitation for Newcastle United to enhance the promise of a satisfying season. They could not do so, with Hatem Ben Afra's drive cancelling the opener from Ciaran Clark of Aston Villa for a 1-1 draw.

Villa had not seemed to possess the requisite degree of talent to flourish until now and the manager Paul Lambert, despite the shrewdness shown at Norwich, will be challenged to put his club anywhere near the upper reaches of the table. None the less, his astuteness is vital to Villa and the first point of the campaign must come as a minor relief.

On this occasion, the most eye-catching alteration to the line-up beaten by Everton in the League was the introduction of goalkeeper Brad Guzan in preference to Shay Given. Whatever the reason, Villa generally looked secure before the interval and also merited the lead.

That goal came in the 22nd minute when Ciaran Clark, the centre-half, headed home from the measured cross delivered by Barry Bannan from the left. Newcastle did display some urgency after going behind but Villa could only have been heartened after notching an away goal for the first time since 7 April, when Chris Herd struck at Anfield.

Newcastle were reminded merely of difficulties. The lack of the injured Cheick Tiote from midfield was conspicuous, even if the side did persevere, with Vurnon Anita flighting a delivery that Papiss Cisse headed off-target just before the interval.

Alan Pardew's side did not look co-ordinated even then, but they put themselves on level terms with an emphatic shot from Ben Afra, when he moved in to crack a right-footed drive past Given in the 59th minute. It excited his team-mates as much as pace and confidence climbed in this Newcastle display.

For all that, Villa never capitulated and Stephen Ireland could have regained the lead instead of badly misdirecting a volley in the 80th minute. Neither side could land a decisive blow, but Lambert's men can be satisfied, particularly after Guzan's save from Yohan Cabaye's free kick in stoppage time.