The stage was set for a storybook start to Sam Allardyce's St James's Park career but in the end Newcastle's mis-firing stars had to thank keeper Steve Harper for saving them a point in a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.
Even the 63rd-minute introduction of Michael Owen failed to galvanise the home side against Martin O'Neill's men who were on top throughout and unlucky not to claim victory.
Harper saved point-blank from Gabriel Agbonlahor in the first half and then brilliantly tipped a Nigel Reo-Coker effort around the post on the hour mark.
For all its attacking riches, the home side created few clear-cut chances with their best chance falling to defender David Rozehnal who saw his volley well saved by Scott Carson.
Allardyce will have hoped for more from his home debut after the promise of the opening day win at Bolton, and it might have been different if his side had capitalised on a quick start.
Straight from the kick-off, the Magpies surged forward and Villa defender Martin Laursen was forced to boot the ball out for a corner under pressure from Alan Smith after just 16 seconds.
But despite its summer frustrations in the transfer market and an opening day defeat to Liverpool, it soon became apparent that Villa was in the mood to spoil Allardyce's big day.
The visitors, boosted by the considerable physical presence of John Carew and Ashley Young's lightning pace down the left, had the better first-half chances.
Carew saw a dangerous cross cleared by N'Zogbia, Gabriel Agbonlahor wriggled past Steven Taylor in the box and forced Steve Harper to boot clear, then Craig Gardner headed over the bar.
Although Newcastle's new captain Geremi forced Carson to punch clear, most of the action was coming at the other end with Carew firing a fine 25-yard effort which Harper tipped over the bar.
And in the 11th minute, Villa came even closer when Laursen connected with Agbonlahor's corner but his header struck the fortunate Harper on the line and was cleared.
Slowly the home side got going, with James Milner at the heart of most of their moves, and his cross for Smith on the half-hour resulted in a shot which was blocked by Gardner.
The Magpies should have gone in ahead at the break after Rozehnal found space in the Villa box in the 36th minute and lashed a left-foot volley which was brilliantly saved by Carson.
Both sides showed plenty of commitment in the opening stages of the second half to little reward, with the best chance a hopelessly miscued effort from Carew.
Reo-Coker then fashioned a super chance for Villa on the hour, skipping through the challenge of N'Zogbia before curling a low effort which Harper did well to tip around his right post.
At the other end, the outstanding Laursen had to be on his guard to head away a dangerous deep cross by Milner as the action continued to swing from end to end with little end result.
Despite having had his pre-season ravaged by a thigh injury, Owen was finally introduced by Allardyce in place of Martins in the 63rd minute, to the predictable rousing ovation.
But Owen's arrival could not make the difference as the England man struggled to make an impression against a Villa rearguard which had been outstanding throughout the afternoon.
Villa finished the match stronger, with Gareth Barry's fine cross-field ball setting up an 86th minute chance for Stiliyan Petrov, who struck his shot straight at Harper.
English Premier League
Newcastle 0
Aston Villa 0