The reason why many Aston Villa fans are largely accepting of the result against Newcastle United is because of how the referee intervened. Ezri Konsa picked up a red card during the opening stages of the second half. To watch Villa go for nearly a half hour without conceding and be able to hold on to the point speaks a lot to Unai Emery's side.
To call a foul in that situation even is a little suspect. Certainly, Konsa made contact with Anthony Gordan. The extent of the physicality was such that play could have easily gone on. If the same entanglement had occurred between midfielders, then the referee would likely not have even considered blowing the whistle.
For Konsa, the place ended up becoming the issue, as he was the last defender, and the decision resulted in his immediate dismissal.
It needs to be said, though, that it did not take much for Gordan to go to ground. The slightest of contacts made it seem like Konsa made a horrific tug on the shirt or shoulder.
Villa did well after the fact to maintain the clean sheet and remain unbeaten at Villa Park. As things stood, it was not looking particularly likely that Villa was going to find the breakthrough anyway. To have that decision go against Villa, however, makes it so that it is difficult to fully assess the match in question.
What could have been for Aston Villa
If Villa had the full 11 men, Donyell Malen could have potentially provided the needed boost that he often has in the past. Being down someone, though, makes it difficult for anyone to provide a positive impact on the attacking side of the pitch.
While there will always be an argument and there are not likely to be too many neutrals who are disappointed by the decision, this was another instance of the referee changing the way in which Villa are forced to carry on.