Half time: Villans 0 Newcastle 0

Full time: Villans 0 Newcastle 0

The U21s returned with a point after facing Villa at their adopted home in Walsall on Monday night, ending a run of four successive away defeats in league and cup competitions.

United threatened from distance in the opening exchanges, with Callum Roberts sending his free kick into a defensive wall and Dan Barlaser firing his kick narrowly over the bar.

Liam Smith was unlucky to see a fine 20-yard left footer crash off the upright in the 16th minute as United once again went close with a dead-ball attempt.

For Villa, Keinan Davis then threatened twice in quick succession around the half hour, visiting goalkeeper Freddie Woodman saving one effort and the striker skimming a second opportunity harmlessly wide.

It was the home side's turn to test the goal frame two minutes before the break when Lewis Kinsella's initial shot from close range was saved, but the ball hit Kinsella and span up onto the crossbar and the rebound was then cleared off the line. 

Roberts burst into the box at the other end, losing control of the ball but recovered sufficiently to test Montenego-born custodian Matija Sarkic with a low shot at the near post.

A quiet second period saw Rory Hale put an angled drive just wide of the Newcastle goal, before the visitors handed a debut from the bench to Will Hoare, an 18 year-old midfielder on trial from Crystal Palace.

Hoare began in a central role before moving to the right flank and looked tidy, playing some decent passes and through balls.

Going into the closing stages neither side looked like winning it, but United left back Liam Gibson came uncomfortably close to turning a cross into his own net.

What proved to be Newcastle's final sight of goal came with three minutes remaining as Roberts played in substitute Stefan Broccoli but he was tackled as he shaped to shoot, only to have the ball gifted back to him but his cross was cleared, ensuring the game ended scoreless. 

Niall MacKenzie