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For 13 minutes following Saturday's Premier League game, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe patiently answered question after question about the player who opted not to be present.
And while Howe was maintaining that the door remains ajar for Liverpool transfer target Alexander Isak to reintegrate himself into Newcastle's squad, the winger selected to fill his role at Villa Park, Anthony Gordon, was confidently stating he was ready for the challenge. Liverpool is, of course, trying to sign Isak from the Magpies this month.
Gordon couldn't find the net from any of his seven attempts, and his sole mazy run toward goal was halted by Ezri Konsa dragging him down, with the Villa defender receiving a red card for preventing the scoring chance.
However, the England winger is willing to do whatever is asked of him and is convinced he will master the skills needed to flourish centrally once he has adapted.
"I like it," Gordon said. "I do really like it, to be honest. It's just going to take some getting used to. It's a completely different position.
"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."
Describing Konsa's cynical foul as "frustrating," Gordon added: "I don't understand it from a defender's point of view. Ez is my mate, actually, so it's quite funny.
"If I'm a defender, I'd probably rather let them score than get a red card because you stay on the pitch and you still get that chance. He's quite quick, so he could have actually caught up to me in the end."
Howe has acted as peacemaker throughout this increasingly messy affair - while emphasising he has thoroughly enjoyed working with Isak, he's also made it evident that only the striker can determine his own destiny.
"There's only one person in control of that," he repeated.
However, with a fortnight remaining until the transfer window shuts, and no immediate sign of Liverpool returning with a new transfer offer.
What this means should Isak stay at Newcastle on September 1 remains uncertain, and the path to redemption with supporters, who voiced their displeasure with full-time chants branding Isak a "greedy b------", appears lengthy.
Howe commended the fans for their support throughout the match and diplomatically stated they are "very free to" express their opinions once they rally behind those on the field during the 90 minutes.
Despite all the discussion about negativity and poor spirits in the changing room, Gordon insisted that the Toon remain unified.
"That's our main strength, our togetherness, and nothing's going to break that," he added. "Every challenge that comes at us is going to make us better. I think you've seen that today.
"It's been a difficult summer and you wouldn't have thought it looking at us, the way we performed, so it's a testament to the staff and all the lads for keeping up."
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