Sandro Tonali scored two goals as Newcastle United rallied to defeat 10-man Aston Villa 3-1, advancing to the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Tammy Abraham opened the scoring for Villa with a contentious goal in the 14th minute, seemingly offside when Douglas Luiz played the ball to him from a free kick. However, the goal stood since VAR was not in use for third and fourth-round FA Cup matches.
Midway through the first half, Villa’s Marco Bizot was dismissed after taking down Jacob Murphy during a fast Newcastle counterattack.
This paved the way for Tonali’s comeback, scoring first with a deflected shot in the 63rd minute, followed by a brilliant long-range strike just over 10 minutes later. Nick Woltemade sealed the victory with his first goal in 14 matches just before the final whistle.
Tonali Steps Up in Guimaraes’ Absence
With Bruno Guimaraes sidelined for six to ten weeks due to a hamstring injury, Newcastle needed other key players, especially Tonali, to elevate their game.
The Italian international had shone in the latter half of last season, helping Newcastle end their trophy drought and secure a Champions League spot.
After a subdued first half, Tonali emerged as a pivotal figure, scoring his first two goals of the season with one being a spectacular long-range effort.
Controversies Over VAR Decisions
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe expressed frustration over officiating, particularly regarding Villa’s opening goal, which seemed to stem from an offside play. Despite protests, the goal was not overturned, highlighting ongoing issues with refereeing consistency.
VAR protocol does not operate in this stage of the FA Cup, a decision intended to provide uniformity across all matches but ultimately leading to contentious calls.
Challenging Schedule Ahead
Although Howe made several changes for the match, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery made even more. Newcastle’s performance, securing only their fifth away victory of the season, is significant ahead of a challenging schedule, including a long trip to Baku for a Champions League play-off.
As they aim for silverware, Newcastle’s deep involvement in multiple competitions reflects Howe’s serious approach, with the FA Cup being their best shot at acquiring another trophy this season.
Howe’s Post-Match Reflection
“We’re pleased to progress. Character shown by the players to come back from a goal down is commendable. It’s tough to win here, and despite unfavorable decisions, we maintained our focus,” Howe remarked after the game.
Next Fixtures for Newcastle
Wednesday, February 18: Qarabag (Away), Champions League play-off first leg, 5:45 PM UK, 12:45 PM ET
