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Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has been involved in a transfer saga following interest from Liverpool(Image: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

For 13 minutes after a draw he felt could easily have been a win, Eddie Howe patiently fielded question after question about the man who chose not to be there.

And while Howe was insisting that the door remains open for Alexander Isak to reintegrate himself, the winger chosen to occupy his position at Villa Park was confidently declaring himself up to the task.

Anthony Gordon could not convert any of his seven shots and his one free dribble towards goal was ended by Ezri Konsa hauling him to the ground, the Villa defender earning a red card for delaying the scoring opportunity.

But the England winger is prepared to do whatever is required of him and is certain he will pick up the tricks to thrive down the centre once he has acclimated.

READ MORE:Eddie Howe sends four-word message to Alexander Isak as Newcastle fans make feelings clearREAD MORE:Aston Villa and Newcastle fans unite over who to blame for difficult transfer window

“I like it,” Gordon said.

“I do really like it, to be honest.

My back is against the goal a lot, which as a winger you never have, but there's a certain part of it, like the move where Ant Elanga played me in, that's where I can really hurt people.

“I'm really good in certain areas, I just need to improve in some areas and that'll come with time.”

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Describing Konsa’s cynical foul as “frustrating”, Gordon added: “I don't understand it from a defender's point of view.

He's quite quick, so he could have actually caught up to me in the end.”

(Image: Getty Images)

Howe has played diplomat throughout this increasingly ugly saga - on one hand stressing he has really enjoyed managing Isak, on the other making it clear that only the striker can sort out his future.

“There’s only one person in control of that,” he reiterated.

But with two weeks to go before the transfer window closes and no imminent prospect of Liverpool returning with a bid of more than the £110m rejected two weeks ago, all parties appear happy to dig their heels in.

What that means should Isak remain at Newcastle on September 1 is unclear and the road to forgiveness from supporters, who made their feelings clear with full-time chants referring to Isak as a “greedy b******”, is a long one.

Howe praised the fans for their backing throughout the game and carefully said they are “very free to” air their views once they get behind those on the pitch during the 90 minutes.

And for all the talk of negativity and low morale in the dressing room, Gordon was adamant that the Toon are united.

“That's our main strength, our togetherness, and nothing's going to break that,” he added.

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