Newcastle 0
Aston Villa 0
Newcastle 0 Aston Villa 0 August 18 2007
Michael Owen came off the bench, but Newcastle could not find the net as Aston Villa battled for a 0-0 draw in the rain at St James' Park.
The stage was set for a storybook start to Sam Allardyce's St James' career but in the end Newcastle's mis-firing stars had to thank keeper Steve Harper for saving them a point.
Even the 63rd-minute introduction of Owen failed to galvanise the home side against Martin O'Neill's men who were on top throughout and unlucky not to claim victory.
Harper saved point-blank from Gabriel Agbonlahor in the first half then brilliantly tipped a Nigel Reo-Coker effort around the post on the hour mark.
For all their attacking riches, the home side created few clear-cut chances with their best chance falling to defender David Rozehnal who saw his volley well saved by Scott Carson.