Roberto Di Matteo encouraged with Aston Villa after Newcastle draw
Boss Roberto Di Matteo was encouraged by Villa's spirit as they fought back to draw 1-1 with Newcastle.
Aaron Tshibola's 88th minute equaliser salvaged a point for Di Matteo's side, from a game in which they were second best for long periods.
An own goal from Villa skipper Tommy Elphick gave Newcastle an advantage they went close to extending on numerous occasions, before a late rally from the hosts.
Jordan Ayew hit the post before Tshibola, with his first goal for the club, helped Villa record their fourth straight draw.
And Di Matteo said: "It was great to see the spirit of the team today. From 1-0 down against a Newcastle team which is very solid and we managed to create good chances and equalised. We went on to try and win the game, too.
"There's certainly a degree of belief that if we concede a goal, the game is not over. We are still in the game and we can still win games."
Villa had conceded late equalisers themselves in each of the last three home games and Di Matteo, whose team now sit 17th in the table, admits they must find a way to start turning draws into wins.
"We have drawn too many games and that's what the table reflects," he said. "I think certainly second-half was very good. We really put them under pressure, especially in the last half-an-hour.
"We hit the woodwork again and created some really good opportunities.
"We got into some very good positions and just missed that man at the end of a cross or a backpass.
"We had a lot of the ball and controlled the second-half much better and were much more positive with the ball.
"We showed that we can turn a game around. We had plenty of chances to win it."
