Cabaye magnifique in Villa draw

I said in my post leading up to Newcastle's game against Aston Villa that Alan Pardew had to either add an extra man in midfield or start Demba Ba up front if his side were to take something from the game.

Pardew opted for the latter, but despite an improved performance of the Senegal international forward it was the display of Yohan Cabaye, Newcastle's French midfielder, who delivered something of a masterclass as the Magpies dominated the Villa midfield.

It was Alex McLeish's side that took the lead against the run of play with Gabriel Agbonlahor capitalising on a rare mistake from Fabricio Coloccini to slot home from six yards, but although Villa did have chances to double the lead, most notably from Darren Bent, it was Newcastle who made most of the running for the majority of the contest.

The Toon were well worthy of the point they earned when Leon Best levellled the scores. The Irish international prodding home a rebound after Shay Given had saved Best's initial header from Cheick Tiote's well placed cross.

It was the performances of Tiote and central midfield partner Cabaye that enabled Newcastle to control the game, the Ivorian Tiote breaking up play frequently to allow the former Lille man Cabaye to play with increasing freedom.

Only the fantastic reactions of former Newcastle keeper Shay Given denied Cabaye from sealing victory for the Toon Army, the Irishman making a spectacular save from Cabaye's stunning 25 yard volley that seemed destined for the top corner of the net. The midfielder had beaten Given in the lead up to Newcastle's equaliser but was denied by the crossbar.

Newcastle had one late chance to snatch victory as Cabaye latched onto Sylvain Marveaux's lofted pass to race through on one on one with Given, but the Frenchman sent his shot despairingly wide of the goal.

In the end an encouraging display and well earned point for Newcastle, and although some Toon fans will have left Villa Park feeling that their side had missed an opportunity to take all 3 points, there will be surely be a sense of excitement that Pardew's side are still unbeaten with new summer recruits beginning to gel into the team.