Dummett: 'Positives But Points Dropped'

By Tom Easterby

Full-back Paul Dummett praised his team's performance after Newcastle United were held to a draw by Aston Villa on Saturday.

The Magpies dominated for large spells against the hosts, who came into the game fresh from a hard-fought 1-0 win at Stoke City last weekend, and could easily have snatched all three points after carving out a plethora of chances.

And Dummett, who has started the first two games of the season at left-back, said United's showing really ought to have merited their maiden victory of the 2014/15 Barclays Premier League season.

"It was a pleasing performance," the Academy graduate told nufc.co.uk.

"I think we played well as a team, but it's a bit disappointing not to get three points. We've lost two points there today.

"There are positives from the game to take forward into the cup game in midweek and then Crystal Palace next weekend though."

Villa threatened to make the breakthough in the early stages, with the ex-Newcastle winger Charles N'Zogbia going closest in the first-half, but the city-born defender insisted they only posed a sporadic threat to Tim Krul between the sticks.

"Villa are a good team - young and fit - and they tried to hit us on the counter a few times as well," he said.

"It's a tough place to go, Villa Park, and I think the performance from the boys was good, and we need to carry it on for the whole season really."

Attentions now turn to Tuesday night's Capital One Cup second round tie at League One side Gillingham and, with Alan Pardew set to name a largely unchanged squad for the game at Priestfield, Dummett is hopeful this could be the year that United put an end to their 45-year trophy drought.

"It's massive for the Club," he explained.

We haven't won a cup for years and years and we've been knocked out in the early stages in the last few years as well, so it's important for the team, especially to get the season off on a winning run."