By Peter Scrivener BBC Sport

Aston Villa and Newcastle extended their unbeaten starts to the season to five games after an entertaining draw.

Gabriel Agbonlahor scored his third goal of the season for Villa, slotting in from 10 yards, after his volley had been blocked by Fabricio Coloccini.

But Leon Best earned United a point, firing home from close range after Shay Given saved his initial header.

Yohan Cabaye, who hit the bar, also had a volley tipped round the post by Given as Newcastle sought a winner.

The visitors had gone into the game looking to preserve their record of not conceding a goal on their travels this season but the in-form Agbonlahor wrecked that inside the opening 15 minutes.

McLeish frustrated with point

The 24-year-old was quickest to react after his first-time effort from Barry Bannan's centre hit Coloccini and he beat United keeper Tim Krul with a low shot from 10 yards.

The goal came somewhat against the run of play. Yohan Cabaye, a £4.3m summer signing from Lille, had already fired narrowly wide for Newcastle, while Given had to be alert to tip Gabriel Obertan's cross-shot over the bar.

But once Agbonlahor did score, the home side assumed control with Bannan smashing a dipping 25-yard volley inches wide, while Darren Bent should also have doubled Villa's lead.

Stiliyan Petrov surged into the Newcastle box to collect a superbly-weighted pass from Charles N'Zogbia and with Krul approaching, he squared for Bent, but the striker inexplicably side-footed wide from eight yards.

KEY STATISTICS

• Newcastle are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games - their longest unbeaten run in five years.

• Gabriel Agbonlahor scored his 25th Premier League goal at Villa Park

Newcastle ended the half strongly but Given, who made 463 appearances for the Magpies, was equal to Taylor's neat low strike while Demba Ba clipped a shot over the bar from 15 yards.

Agbonlahor, who looked a threat all afternoon, began the second half with an effort that whistled just wide.

But, in a copy of the first half, Newcastle's equaliser came against the run of play.

Cabaye ignited panic in the Villa defence when his curling 25-yard shot rebounded off the crossbar and as the home side struggled to escape from their penalty area, the ball was passed out to Cheik Tiote down the left.

We deserved more - Pardew

Tiote's deep cross was met by Best, who powered a header downwards. Given kept it out but the ball fell kindly for the striker who tucked in his third of the season from point-blank range.

Demba Ba fired straight at Given from 30 yards, while Bent lobbed an effort over the on-rushing Krul which drifted wide as both sides went for the win.

Newcastle came the closest with Cabaye's crisp right-foot volley eliciting a tremendous save from Given, who flung himself to his right to tip the ball round the post.

And in the final minute, Frenchman Cabaye sneaked in at the back post but lifted his shot from an acute angle over the bar.

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish:

"I'm disappointed. I thought we started brilliantly and we should have been 2-0 up through Bent's chance.

"But Petrov turned an ankle and Warnock injured his hip and we lost a bit of momentum and Newcastle took control. Warnock was patched up with a painkiller and he was like a man possessed in the second half.

"We were a bit deep at the goal and if we'd squeezed out we may have been able to play offside but we sat in our area and when you do that you've got win the ball."

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew:

"We were terrific today. We gifted them a goal but we dominated possession and we were awaiting our chance.

"Our two central midfield players, Cabaye and Cheik Tiote were outstanding and I thought we deserved to win.

"Shay Given 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 stops."

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6)

Aston Villa

  • 01 Given
  • 02 Hutton
  • 03 Warnock
  • 05 Dunne
  • 06 Collins Booked
  • 10 N'Zogbia
  • 16 Delph
  • 19 Petrov (Ireland - 68' )
  • 25 Bannan (Albrighton - 67' )
  • 09 Bent (Delfouneso - 85' )
  • 11 Agbonlahor

Substitutes

  • 22 Guzan
  • 34 Lowry
  • 07 Ireland
  • 12 Albrighton
  • 31 Herd
  • 38 Gardner
  • 14 Delfouneso

Newcastle United

  • 26 Krul
  • 02 Coloccini
  • 05 Simpson
  • 16 R Taylor
  • 27 S Taylor
  • 04 Cabaye
  • 18 Gutierrez (Sa Ameobi - 85' )
  • 24 Tiote
  • 19 Ba (Marveaux - 80' )
  • 20 Best Booked (Sh Ameobi - 69' )
  • 25 Obertan

Substitutes

  • 35 Elliot
  • 14 Perch
  • 08 Guthrie
  • 22 Marveaux
  • 11 Lovenkrands
  • 23 Sh Ameobi
  • 28 Sa Ameobi
Ref: Swarbrick
Att: 34,248

Match Stats

Shots

11 21

On target

3 13

Corners

4 9

Fouls

13 10

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:29 Full time

Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.

90:00 +2:12

A cross is delivered by Cheik Tiote.

90:00 +1:36

Nathan Delfouneso gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ryan Taylor. Tim Krul takes the direct free kick.

90:00 +0:37

Yohan Cabaye conjures a right-footed shot from inside the six-yard box that clears the bar.

89:58

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye, Richard Dunne manages to make a clearance. The ball is swung over by Cheik Tiote, Marc Albrighton makes a clearance.

89:28

Centre by Gabriel Obertan, save made by Shay Given.

88:44

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Steven Taylor by Marc Albrighton. Direct free kick taken by Danny Simpson.

87:42

Marc Albrighton gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Danny Simpson. Tim Krul takes the free kick.

86:57

Unfair challenge on Richard Dunne by Fabricio Coloccini results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Charles N'Zogbia.

85:44

Yohan Cabaye takes a shot. Save made by Shay Given. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye, Nathan Delfouneso makes a clearance.

84:24

Tim Krul takes the indirect free kick.

84:24 Substitution

Substitution (Aston Villa) makes a substitution, with Nathan Delfouneso coming on for Darren Bent.

84:24 Substitution

Substitution Sammy Ameobi replaces Jonas Gutierrez.

84:24

Darren Bent is flagged offside by the assistant referee.

84:07

Shola Ameobi takes a shot. Save by Shay Given.

82:53

The offside flag is raised against Shola Ameobi. Indirect free kick taken by Shay Given.

80:34

Charles N'Zogbia takes a short corner.

79:40 Substitution

Substitution Sylvain Marveaux joins the action as a substitute, replacing Demba Ba.

79:21

Jonas Gutierrez takes a shot. James Collins gets a block in.

78:37

Marc Albrighton has shot on goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

77:56

The ball is swung over by Marc Albrighton, save by Tim Krul.

77:24

Gabriel Agbonlahor fouled by Jonas Gutierrez, the ref awards a free kick. Stephen Ireland takes the free kick.

76:44

Charles N'Zogbia crosses the ball, clearance made by Steven Taylor.

75:46

The ball is swung over by Charles N'Zogbia, save by Tim Krul.

74:46

Unfair challenge on Fabricio Coloccini by Darren Bent results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Ryan Taylor.

63:07

Ryan Taylor has a direct shot on goal from the free kick.

63:07 Booking

Booking James Collins booked for unsporting behaviour.

63:00

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Leon Best by Stiliyan Petrov.

73:12

Charles N'Zogbia gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jonas Gutierrez. Tim Krul takes the free kick. Shola Ameobi challenges James Collins unfairly and gives away a free kick. Shay Given restarts play with the free kick.

71:06

Lobbed right-footed shot by Darren Bent. Steven Taylor makes a clearance. Marc Albrighton takes a inswinging corner to the near post, Steven Taylor makes a clearance.

68:31

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Fabian Delph by Jonas Gutierrez. James Collins takes the direct free kick. Yohan Cabaye challenges Stephen Ireland unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Alan Hutton.

66:49 Substitution

Substitution Shola Ameobi on for Leon Best.

66:49 Substitution

Substitution Stephen Ireland joins the action as a substitute, replacing Stiliyan Petrov.

66:49 Substitution

Substitution Marc Albrighton comes on in place of Barry Bannan.

66:25

Demba Ba has an effort at goal. Save by Shay Given.

64:17

Gabriel Agbonlahor gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Cheik Tiote. Free kick taken by Tim Krul.

63:07

Shot comes in from Ryan Taylor from the free kick.

63:07 Booking

Booking Caution for Stiliyan Petrov.

63:00

Foul by Stiliyan Petrov on Leon Best, free kick awarded.

57:35 Booking

Booking Leon Best receives a yellow card for dissent.

61:33

The ball is swung over by Ryan Taylor, clearance by Richard Dunne.

60:26

Gabriel Obertan fouled by Fabian Delph, the ref awards a free kick. Fabricio Coloccini takes the free kick.

58:35

Shot from just outside the box by Barry Bannan goes over the bar.

56:40 Goal scored

Goal - Leon Best - A Villa 1 - 1 Newcastle Leon Best scores a goal from inside the six-yard box to the top right corner of the goal. Aston Villa 1-1 Newcastle.

56:14

Yohan Cabaye takes a shot. Cheik Tiote delivers the ball, Leon Best takes a shot. Save by Shay Given.

57:35

Assist on the goal came from Cheik Tiote.

57:35 Booking

Booking Leon Best receives a caution for dissent.

56:41

Jonas Gutierrez takes a shot. Barry Bannan gets a block in.

56:40 Goal scored

Goal - Leon Best - A Villa 1 - 1 Newcastle A goal is scored by Leon Best from inside the six-yard box . Aston Villa 1-1 Newcastle.

56:14

Yohan Cabaye takes a shot. The ball is sent over by Cheik Tiote, Leon Best takes a shot. Save by Shay Given.

55:01

The ball is delivered by Darren Bent, save by Tim Krul.

53:58

Foul by Yohan Cabaye on Barry Bannan, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by James Collins.

52:06

Centre by Gabriel Obertan, save by Shay Given.

51:22

The ball is crossed by Gabriel Obertan, clearance by Stephen Warnock.

50:20

Inswinging corner taken by Yohan Cabaye from the left by-line.

49:17

Handball decision goes against Jonas Gutierrez. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Barry Bannan from right wing, save by Shay Given.

48:34

Barry Bannan decides to take a short corner. Barry Bannan crosses the ball.

46:21

Gabriel Agbonlahor has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

45:01

The match restarts for the second half.

33:56

Drilled left-footed shot by Ryan Taylor. Blocked by Stiliyan Petrov. Inswinging corner taken by Yohan Cabaye, Gabriel Obertan produces a volleyed left-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post.

45:00 +2:15 Half time

Half Time The match has reached half-time.

45:00 +1:11

The ball is swung over by Danny Simpson, clearance by James Collins. Shot from 25 yards by Ryan Taylor. Blocked by Stiliyan Petrov.

44:48

Ryan Taylor delivers the ball, clearance made by James Collins.

44:04

The ball is delivered by Ryan Taylor, James Collins makes a clearance.

43:35

The referee blows for offside. Indirect free kick taken by Cheik Tiote.

41:52

Charles N'Zogbia produces a cross, comfortable save by Tim Krul.

41:37

A cross is delivered by Jonas Gutierrez, James Collins manages to make a clearance.

41:19

Ryan Taylor produces a cross, clearance by Fabian Delph.

40:01

Corner taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye, clearance by Richard Dunne.

38:53

Centre by Jonas Gutierrez, clearance made by Stephen Warnock.

37:47

Free kick awarded for a foul by Stiliyan Petrov on Cheik Tiote. Cheik Tiote restarts play with the free kick.

36:42

Foul by Gabriel Agbonlahor on Cheik Tiote, free kick awarded. Steven Taylor takes the free kick.

36:03

Charles N'Zogbia has an effort at goal from close in which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

33:56

Fabian Delph takes a shot from 25 yards. Stiliyan Petrov gets a block in. Inswinging corner taken by Yohan Cabaye from the left by-line, Gabriel Obertan has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the goal.

33:21

Demba Ba produces a drilled right-footed shot from 25 yards. Richard Dunne gets a block in.

32:18

The ball is crossed by Gabriel Obertan, Demba Ba takes a shot. Stephen Warnock gets a block in. Corner taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye, Richard Dunne manages to make a clearance.

32:06

The ball is crossed by Alan Hutton, Steven Taylor manages to make a clearance.

30:52

The ball is swung over by Danny Simpson, Shot by Jonas Gutierrez from deep inside the penalty area misses wide to the left of the target.

29:45

Effort on goal by Stiliyan Petrov from 35 yards cleared the target.

29:14

Foul by Leon Best on Fabian Delph, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Richard Dunne.

26:42

The ball is crossed by Gabriel Obertan, clearance by Richard Dunne. Yohan Cabaye takes the outswinging corner, Steven Taylor takes a shot. Shay Given makes a save. Effort on goal by Steven Taylor from just inside the penalty box goes harmlessly over the target. The official flags Leon Best offside. Shay Given takes the indirect free kick.

24:57

Shot by Darren Bent from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.

23:51

Demba Ba fouled by Richard Dunne, the ref awards a free kick. Ryan Taylor takes the free kick.

23:02

The assistant referee signals for offside against Demba Ba. Shay Given restarts play with the free kick.

20:03

Gabriel Obertan concedes a free kick for a foul on Stephen Warnock. Shay Given takes the direct free kick.

19:49

James Collins gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Leon Best. Leon Best takes the free kick.

19:01

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Alan Hutton by Leon Best. Shay Given takes the direct free kick.

18:37

Unfair challenge on Gabriel Agbonlahor by Cheik Tiote results in a free kick. Richard Dunne takes the direct free kick.

16:47

Stiliyan Petrov takes a shot. Blocked by Danny Simpson. Corner taken by Barry Bannan from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Ryan Taylor.

15:40

Barry Bannan has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box missing to the wide left of the goal.

12:17

Assist by Barry Bannan.

12:17 Goal scored

Goal - Gabriel Agbonlahor - A Villa 1 - 0 Newcastle Gabriel Agbonlahor grabs a goal from close range to the bottom left corner of the goal. Aston Villa 1-0 Newcastle.

12:17

The ball is swung over by Barry Bannan,

12:10

The ball is sent over by Alan Hutton, Danny Simpson makes a clearance.

11:24

Yohan Cabaye takes a shot. Richard Dunne gets a block in. Ryan Taylor delivers the ball, Shay Given makes a save.

10:23

Corner taken by Yohan Cabaye, clearance by Stiliyan Petrov.

9:19

Yohan Cabaye takes a inswinging corner.

8:03

Charles N'Zogbia concedes a free kick for a foul on Leon Best. Ryan Taylor fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick.

5:49

Yohan Cabaye has an effort at goal from outside the box missing to the wide left of the goal.

3:39

The ball is swung over by Jonas Gutierrez, clearance by James Collins.

1:19

The referee penalises Barry Bannan for handball. Free kick taken by Fabricio Coloccini.

0:14

The ball is swung over by Charles N'Zogbia, Steven Taylor manages to make a clearance.

0:00

The referee gets the game started.

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