Aston Villa 1 Newcastle 1: Pardew hails ‘terrific’ display

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew hailed a “terrific” performance after his side settled for a point against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Leon Best’s fourth goal of the season cancelled out Gabriel Agbonlahor’s first-half strike as both sides continued their unbeaten starts to the season.

“I thought we were terrific today,” said Pardew afterwards. “We gifted them a goal but we dominated possession and we were awaiting our chance.

“Our two central midfield players, [Yohan] Cabaye and Cheik Tiote were outstanding and I thought we deserved to win.”

Villa took the lead after 11 minutes when Barry Bannon’s cross was neatly controlled by Agbonlahor, who fired past Tim Krul to mark his 200th appearance for the club with a goal.

But Pardew’s men drew level after 57 minutes when Villa goalkeeper Shay Given parried out Best’s header only for the striker to smash the rebound past his Republic of Ireland team-mate.

The visitors were denied a dramatic winner in stoppage time when Given produced a superb save to deny Cabaye.

“Shay was an outstanding servant for this club and we know he is a good shot-stopper and he showed that with two or three good saves,” said Pardew of Given.

The result keeps both clubs in the top half of the Premier League table, with Newcastle fourth and Villa eighth.