"Bore" and "draw" may have featured heavily in post-match discussions, but this game is destined to be recalled for another four letter word, comprising of the letters c,n,u and t.

That was the central message of chants from the away section aimed at the absent Alexander Isak, missing for the final leg of a torturous opening three game introduction to the season; overshadowed by the purgatory of waiting for the transfer window to shut.

An outbreak of onfield excitement at Gallowgate the previous Monday at least banished those tedious sagas for a few hours, but the misaligned mundanity of Villa Park was here in abundance again; an altered formation no more likely to score against the eleven men of Leeds than the ten of Villa.

The newly-promoted hosts came into this game unbeaten in their last 21 league games at Elland Road and extended that record to 22 without much bother, although they too looked as if they had no real conviction that goalscoring was on their agenda today.

To the action, or what there was of it, with Newcastle fielding a central defensive trio with wing backs and replacing the suspended Anthony Gordon with William Osula, starting for the first time in the Premier League as a Magpie.

The Dane had the first opportunity in the 16th minute when he controlled Jacob Ramsey's cross but saw his shot blocked by Gabriel Gudmundsson. That was a rare effort at goal and it wasn't until the 43rd minute that Jacob Murphy had a shot on target to test goalkeeper Lucas Perri.

Fabian Schar then had a shot deflected over the bar ending a half of little incident or excitement.

Ramsey was replaced by Lewis Miley at the break but there was little change in the sterile play from both sides, a rare moment of excitement seeing Perri tip wide Murphy's shot from distance.

The introduction of Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes on the right and left flanks respectively failed to provide the required impetus. Both struggled to beat opponents and what crosses they did manage were either over-hit or aimless.

Lewis Hall was next to try his luck from outside the box and his effort flew narrowly over the bar, but what passed for chances after that point came at other end - substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin's late effort saved by Pope with his foot.

Neither team could celebrate their point at the final whistle but there was little disappointment on the faces of either manager after what were difficult weeks.

Eddie Howe at least could look back from the away dugout and see the sizeable striker from Stuttgart who joined his squad on the eve of this game, doubtless also equipped with the knowledge that the Brentford side beaten on wearside a few hours earlier hadn't contained the coveted Yoane Wissa.

One more four letter word came to mind at full time, love.

An emotional Sean Longstaff left the field after a whole-hearted display on what his first Premier League start for Leeds with a Newcastle shirt draped over his shoulders, reciprocating the applause of the away fans.

Had he still been wearing that shirt in anger, it's unlikely that today's scoreline would have been any different, but that's beside the point.

Retaining the midfielder for sentimental reasons wouldn't have sat well with us, but that's no reason to be disrespectful to a player who served our club to the best of his ability.

Sean will always be welcome back at SJP, unlike a certain Swede, who had the opportunity to leave on good terms but wilfully chose not to. 

Newcastle dropped to fifteenth before Sunday's results left them seventeenth, their worst position since early 2022. Regardless of who is to blame (and nobody comes out of this unscathed), the events of this summer have been debilitating for players and fans alike.

The season starts in a fortnight. Hopefully.

Biffa