EPL: Howe hints at Isak attitude issue as Newcastle misfire in Villa
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But while the performance had positives, the absence of a focused and committed Isak looms large for Newcastle as the season unfold.
Eddie Howe is hoping for a swift resolution to the ongoing Alexander Isak transfer saga, as Newcastle United were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by 10-man Aston Villa in their Premier League opener on Saturday.
Isak was absent from the matchday squad, and while the club has publicly turned down a reported £110 million offer from Liverpool, it is understood that the striker’s recent attitude and approach in training played a key role in his omission from the squad.
With Isak unavailable, Howe started a front three of Anthony Elanga, Harvey Barnes, and Anthony Gordon—who led the line as the makeshift number nine. Despite dominating large spells of the match, the Magpies lacked the clinical edge in the final third, an area where Isak’s presence has often proven decisive.
Elanga missed a golden chance early on, while Gordon also failed to convert promising opportunities. The 10-man Villa side stood firm, even after Ezri Konsa’s red card for a foul on Gordon, who had been one of Newcastle’s brighter players going forward.
Newcastle managed 16 shots, just three on target, and registered an expected goals (xG) figure of 1.47—yet left Villa Park without a goal or three points.
Without Isak, Newcastle have now gone six Premier League matches without a win (D4 L2), scoring none in their last four despite accumulating 75 shots and a total xG of 9.4 in that stretch.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Howe subtly addressed the distraction surrounding the Swedish striker:
“It’s a difficult one to answer. I hope it’s resolved quickly, because it’s news around us all the time. Players have managed to shut that out and perform. We have to continue to do that. We have to cope without the narrative against us.”
Newcastle’s struggles in season openers also continued—this marks the 13th time they’ve failed to score in their first game of a Premier League campaign, more than any other side in the competition’s history.
With Liverpool next on the fixture list, Howe is expecting a heated affair, especially given the growing tension around Isak’s future.
“It’s always spicy against Liverpool, there’s a history to the fixture,” Howe said. “We look forward to it. We know how good they are.”
Despite the result, Howe insisted his side deserved more from the game:
“With the way we played, I think we deserved more. We were excellent in the first half – we just couldn’t score… I can’t fault the players today, I thought they were magnificent.”
But while the performance had positives, the absence of a focused and committed Isak looms large for Newcastle as the season unfold.
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