The Magpies suffered the departure of Andy Carroll in January plus Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton and Jose Enrique during the recent transfer window.

But any doom and gloom felt amongst the Toon Army has faded with Newcastle lying fourth in the Barclays Premier League after collecting nine points from their opening five games.

Only a fine display by former Newcastle keeper Shay Given denied Pardew's side a deserved win at Villa Park as Leon Best's goal cancelled out Gabriel Agbonlahor's opener.

Pardew said: "When you lose the likes of Barton, Nolan, Enrique, Carroll, you are talking about a lot of characters and a lot of goals in our team.

"We lost some outstanding players and characters but we've got a different team now.

"It is younger, got more pace in it, has got a little bit more resilience at times in terms of controlling the game. They are the qualities we have shown so far and we need to continue that."

Pardew added: "We looked a lot different at Villa from Monday (a goalless draw at QPR).

"We looked a side that is lying fourth in the division and that bodes well. I thought we controlled the game perhaps more so than at any time last year away from home.

"But we've got to keep proving it. It is very early but so far, so good."

Best netted his third goal of the campaign and has continued the fine form he demonstrated during the latter part of last season.

Pardew said: "Leon has done very well for me. He is one of the guys who thinks he deserves a chance in the Premier League and wants to keep proving people wrong."

Pardew is hoping deadline day signing Davide Santon, bought from Inter Milan, will avoid surgery on his knee.

He said: "Davide has had the fluid taken from the knee and fingers crossed that will be okay and maybe he will be available for next weekend.

"If that doesn't cure the problem, we think he will have an operation to tidy it up. It is not a cartilage issue, just a bit of scar tissue."

Villa also remain unbeaten and Agbonlahor believes manager Alex McLeish is winning over the fans after his move across the Second City from Birmingham.

He said: "I was shocked. I thought if I was in that position, I don't think I would ever have done it.

"It was a brave thing to do. But, if you look at the early games, the fans have taken to the manager.

"I was just hoping the goals I scored against Birmingham for Villa wouldn't go against me. I was hoping he had forgotten about them!"

Agbonlahor is also enjoying his football again after a difficult spell under McLeish's predecessor, Gerard Houllier.

He said: "There were too many rules last year. It was like being at school again.

"Now there's a better set-up, the training is better, more relaxed and there's a better atmosphere around the place."

Agbonlahor opened the scoring with a close range finish but Best salvaged a point for the Magpies after Given had blocked his initial effort.