The football match was the 23-year-old national team player's first in league context for Newcastle since the transition from Nottingham Forest a month ago.
Elanga had a dream opportunity to become a goalscorer directly after two and a half minutes of play when he came free against Marco Bizot. But the home team's Dutch goalkeeper saved the shot with his hands.
Ten minutes later, Elanga had a volley opportunity in Aston Villa's penalty area, but missed the ball. The Swede was substituted out in the 78th minute.
Newcastle's Swedish star striker Alexander Isak, who does not train with the team and is said to want to leave the club for play in Liverpool, was not in the match in Birmingham.
In other places in England, the major club Manchester City started convincingly with a 4–0 win away against Wolverhampton.
The newcomers Sunderland won comfortably 3–0 at home against Graham Potter's West Ham. Brighton and Fulham shared the points, 1–1, and Tottenham, with Lucas Bergvall from start, defeated Burnley with 3–0.
