Ahmed Elmohamady played the role of super sub as Aston Villa fought back to draw against Newcastle at St James’ Park.
The Egyptian snuck in at the near post to head home a corner with seven minutes remaining as the visiting Villans took home a point.
Dwight Gayle had earlier fired the Magpies in front after 68 minutes as the hosts upped their game having been outplayed in the first half.
Villa had won just twice on the road in the Premier League this season when they kicked off in the North-East, but they looked desperate to banish their away day blues early on.
Dean Smith’s side could have led as early as the sixth minute but Trezeguet scuffed his shot into the turf and over the bar as he met Ezri Konsa’s inviting cross.
Newcastle’s backline were looking fallible to crosses and when Anwar El Ghazi whipped a ball into Ally Samatta, the striker should have done better than to glance his header wide.
All of Villa’s brightest moments were being created in the wide areas, with John McGinn and Matt Targett both having efforts at goal.
The visitors were comfortable, playing most of the game in Newcastle’s half before they were given an almighty scare of their own making.
Kortney Hause lost possession and immediately Jonjo Shelvey had sent Joelinton through on goal. Just as the Brazilian looked destined to score, Tyrone Mings made a despairing slide tackle that rescued his team.
Having been second best in the first half, the Magpies stepped it up after the break and began to create opportunities through the lively Allan Saint-Maximin.
But it was a combination between Steve Bruce’s substitutes that broke the deadlock after 68 minutes. Andy Carroll controlled the ball from a throw-in and his ball into the middle fell to Gayle, who clinically picked out the far corner.
The goal forced Dean Smith’s hand and the Villa boss introduced Conor Hourihane, Marvelous Nakamba, Keinan Davis and Elmohamady as he looked for a response.
With seven minutes left, he got one as Elmohamady glanced Hourihane’s corner underneath the dive of Martin Dubravka.
Villa poured forward in search of a winner but their late pressure came to nothing and they were forced to settle for a draw as they took a point in their battle for survival.
Villa: Nyland, Konsa (Elmohamady 77), Hause, Mings, Targett, McGinn (Nakamba 77), Luiz, Trezeguet (Davis 69), El Ghazi (Hourihane 69), Samatta, Grealish (c).
Subs: Reina, Taylor, Borja, Jota, Vassilev.
