HATEM BEN ARFA struck a wonder goal to grab a point for Newcastle.
Ciaran Clark’s shock opener fired Aston Villa in front on 23 minutes at St James’ Park.
But the Magpies rallied after the break and France star Ben Arfa levelled with a 25-yard stunner.
Both sides had chances to win the match, with Stephen Ireland fluffing Villa's best effort 10 minutes from time.
And Toon striker Papiss Cisse's drought was stretched to six games after another poor display in front of goal.
Villa boss Paul Lambert will be the happier of the two managers as his side picked up their first point of the season.
SAINTLY ... Aston Villa and Newcastle in their early exchanges
Lambert’s men were up for the fight from kick-off and quickly knocked the hosts out of their stride.
It was a strangely disjointed performance from Newcastle, who continue to miss Cheick Tiote’s influence in the middle of the park.
The service from wide-men Ben Arfa and Jonas Gutierrez was decidedly sub-standard, while Cisse and Demba Ba rarely looked like threatening Brad Guzan in the Villa goal.
Sunderland old boy Darren Bent served warning of Villa’s intent with 19 minutes gone when he forced Tim Krul into action.
Fabricio Coloccini blocked Andreas Weimann’s follow-up and Krul denied Bent again seconds later.
VILLA THRILLER ... Ciaran Clark scores the opener
Steven Taylor bundled a Cabaye free-kick over the bar as the Magpies attempted to respond, but the home side were almost level with 29 minutes gone.
Ben Arfa’s right-wing corner was overhit, but Ba managed to pluck it out of the air and drill the ball back across goal, where Cisse’s shot was kept out by Guzan's foot.
Midfielder Vurnon Anita fired into the side-netting after Gutierrez had recycled the resulting corner before finding himself pressed into a makeshift defensive line-up when Danny Simpson went down injured.
Ba fired across goal seconds later as the Magpies finished the half strongly, without troubling Guzan to any great extent.
HEAD BOY ... Ciaran Clark celebrates his goal
Villa returned not only determined to hang on to their advantage, but to extend it after the restart.
As the home fans grew increasingly restless, Newcastle responded and Ben Arfa might have done better when he headed Anita’s 52-minute cross straight at Guzan.
Toon boss Alan Pardew had switched to a 4-3-3 formation before half-time in an attempt to get Ben Arfa further forward — and it finally paid off with 59 minutes gone.
The Frenchman picked up possession on the left and cut inside before unleashing a drive which flew high past Guzan into the top corner.
GOAL-IE ... Brad Guzan celebrates Ciaran Clark's goal
In the meantime, Krul plucked Ireland’s well-struck shot out of the air and then had to get down well to deny Weimann with Villa still very much in the game.
Ben Arfa had a chance to fire the Magpies ahead with 23 minutes remaining, but curled his free-kick harmlessly over the bar.
Ba then went close with a looping header from substitute Gael Bigirimana’s 74th-minute cross and Ireland passed up a glorious opportunity to win it, screwing wide from 16 yards.
Bent was handed a similarly promising opening with six minutes left, but Bigirimana’s timely intervention kept him at bay before Guzan palmed out Yohan Cabaye’s last-ditch attempt.
Newcastle: Krul, Simpson (Bigirimana 38), Coloccini, Steven Taylor, Santon, Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Anita, Gutierrez (Marveaux 86), Ba (Obertan 87), Cisse. Subs not used: Harper, Williamson, Gosling, Amalfitano. Booked: Gutierrez.
Goals: Ben Arfa 59.
Aston Villa: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Lichaj, Bannan, El Ahmadi (N’Zogbia 72), Ireland, Weimann (Agbonlahor 64),Holman, Bent. Subs not used: Given, Bowery, Baker, Burke, Williams. Booked: El Ahmadi, Guzan, Lichaj, Holman.
Goals: Clark 22.
Att: 48,245
Ref: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).
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