Aston Villa 1 Newcastle 1: Aaron Tshibola cancels out Tommy Elphick’s own goal to relieve pressure on boss Roberto di Matteo

AS late drama goes, this was not too far off Champions League proportions.

This clash saw Rafa Benitez and Roberto Di Matteo go head to head — two managers who have both won Europe’s elite club competition in unforgettable circumstances.

And while it was never going to match the thrilling penalty shootout victories the pair had with Liverpool and Chelsea, it still had a nail-biting finish.

Aaron Tshibola’s late header rescued Villa — and perhaps boss Di Matteo’s job.

That was after Tommy Elphick’s first-half own goal looked to have consigned the hosts to defeat in a game featuring the most expensive combined starting XIs in Championship history.

Di Matteo still has just one win this season — hardly justifying the huge £60.25million value of his starting team.

But the manner of the fightback against heavily-fancied Newcastle — whose line-up cost £63m — will give fans hope and the Italian breathing room.

Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, caught up in another partying controversy last week, was not involved.

But Villa almost had the perfect start when £15m striker Jonathan Kodjia burst into the box, only to be denied by a brilliant block from ex-Villa defender Ciaran Clark.

Matt Ritchie was given more licence to roam by Benitez and it almost paid off as he fizzed a shot just wide.

Ritchie may be the stand-out Toon signing but he is closely followed by Isaac Hayden.