Harper Saves Toon Blushes
Subs Not Used: Forster, Ramage.
ASTON VILLA: Carson, Gardner, Mellberg, Laursen, Bouma, Young,Petrov, Reo-Coker, Barry, Agbonlahor, Carew (Moore 66).
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Harewood, Cahill, Maloney.
Att: 51,049
Viduka drew a blank, and not even the return of Michael Owen could end Newcastle's barren run of 560 minutes without a goal at St James' Park.It has to be said, Martin O'Neill's men were on top throughout and looked more at home on the Gallowgate pitch than the Magpies.
Harper saved at point-blank range from Gabriel Agbonlahor in the first half then brilliantly tipped a Nigel Reo-Coker effort around the post on the hour mark, and we trooped away with a point some could argue we didn't deserve.
For all their attacking options, and Sam saying this week "we have goals in every department of this team" United created few clear-cut chances, and the best chance fell to defender David Rozehnal, who saw his volley well saved by Scott Carson.
Straight from the kick-off, the Magpies surged forward with intent, and Villa defender Martin Laursen was forced to boot the ball out for a corner under pressure from Alan Smith after just 16 seconds.
But Villa were in the mood to spoil Allardyce's party and frustrated the Geordie crowd for 90 minutes.
Carew saw a dangerous cross cleared by N'Zogbia, Gabriel Agbonlahor wriggled past Steven Taylor in the box and forced Steve Harper to boot clear, then Craig Gardner headed over the bar.
Although Newcastle's new captain Geremi forced Carson to punch clear, most of the action was coming at the other end with Carew's 25-yard effort being tipped over the bar by Harper.
And in the 11th minute, Villa came even closer when Laursen connected with Agbonlahor's corner but his header struck the fortunate Harper on the line and was cleared.
James Milner was at the heart of most of United's moves, and his cross for Smith on the half-hour resulted in a shot which was blocked by Gardner.
Straight up the other end, Agbonlahor won a race with N'Zogbia then wriggled past Butt to set up a shooting chance, but having done the hard work he shot wide of target.
But the Magpies should have gone in ahead at the break after Rozehnal found space in the Villa box in the 36th minute and lashed a left-foot volley which was brilliantly saved by Scott Carson.
Both sides showed plenty of commitment and Reo-Coker fashioned a super chance for Villa on the hour, skipping through the challenge of N'Zogbia before curling a low effort which Harper did well to tip around his right post.
At the other end, the outstanding Laursen had to be on his guard to head away a dangerous deep cross by Milner as the action continued to swing from end to end with little end result.
Owen was finally introduced by Allardyce in place of Martins in the 63rd minute but could not make the difference between the two sides.
Villa finished the match stronger, with Gareth Barry's fine cross-field ball setting up an 86th minute chance for Stiliyan Petrov, who struck his shot straight at Harper.