All the talk coming into this was about the devastating news that our Talisman Captain will be out of action for an extended period of time. T
When the team was announced, news filtered through that Nick Woltemade would start in the number 10 role, although he would play behind Will Osula as Yoane Wissa had suffered a knock during the week.
Coming away from Villa Park, while one of the main talking points is another reprehensible display from the officiating, the more positive aspects are Sandro Tonali looking like he’s back to his best, big Nick finding his feet in that deeper role and of course an FA Cup fifth round tie to look forward to after a second road win in four days.
With the FA Cup not allowing the video assistant referee until the fifth round, what we saw happen in this fourth round encounter was certainly enough to calm VAR’s fiercest critics, although it is still fair to suggest that it is the human element that needs to improve, rather than the technology itself.
In a match in which Chris Kavanagh, recently promoted to UEFA’s elite list, had an absolute nightmare, it is credit to Newcastle United’s players and coaching staff that calm heads were maintained like injustice after injustice had been served.
Villa opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Douglas Luiz slid a free-kick over the Newcastle wall into the path of a clearly offside Tammy Abraham, who turned the ball past Aaron Ramsdale into the United goal. Incredibly, Kavanagh and his assistant allowed the goal to stand and Newcastle found themselves behind.
Undeterred, United took the game to their hosts and had VAR been in action there would certainly have been second looks at the penalty area challenges on Lewis Hall and Harvey Barnes. Instead, it was waved by the hapless Kavanagh.
Then came Lucas Digne’s reckless challenge on Jacob Murphy, whose leg showed the impact of the Frenchman’s studs, while Kavanagh showed yellow despite being red all day.
Although United felt aggrieved heading into the break, a much-needed reprieve followed just seconds before half-time. There was no mistaking Marco Bizot’s dismissal, the Villa keeper completely 45 yards from goal, with an unfathomable last man challenge for Murphy.
This was the second time this season that Newcastle played ten men at Villa Park. The difference last night was that United had a whopping 45 minutes to take advantage.
The hosts sat back and invited pressure, with Newcastle taking advantage, although not without more outrage after Digne had clearly acted in the penalty area, but Kavanagh ruled the incident had occurred outside the area.
At least justice was served immediately, with Tonali equalizing after Trippier’s free-kick was deflected away by Bizot’s replacement, Emil Martinez.
With Newcastle on the rise, the match could be won, Elanga and Gordon replacing Murphy and Osula.
One of Gordon’s first contributions saw his shot deflected agonizingly wide of the post before Tonali United surged ahead. His rasping effort from as much as 25 yards after Dan Burn had set it up gave Martinez no chance.
That felt like game over and Unai Emery seemed to read the room. His withdrawal of Morgan Rogers and Douglas Luiz looked like he had raised the white flag before Bogarde’s atrocious defending allowed Woltemade to wrap things up and score United’s third goal two minutes from time.
What a difference a week makes, from the low point of defeat at home to Brentford to back-to-back wins in London and Birmingham. Bruno may be missing, and that’s a big problem, but it feels like the team is getting stronger and the momentum is starting to build.
Aston Villa 1 Newcastle 3 – Saturday 14 February 2026 5.45pm
Match statistics
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Tonali 63, 76, Woltemade 88
Astonvilla:
Abrham 14, Bizot 45+1 red card
Possess was Newcastle 57% Villa 43%
Total shots were Newcastle 12 Villa 8
Shots on target were Newcastle 3 Villa 2
Corners were Newcastle 6 Villa 6
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 31 Villa 25
Newcastle team vs Aston Villa:
Ramsdale, Trippier (Alex Murphy 90), Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Ramsey (Willock 80), Tonali, Barnes, Jacob Murphy (Elanga 63), Woltemade, Osula (Gordon 63)
Unused subtitles:
Pope, Ruddy, Shahar, Neave, Seung-soo
#difference #week #Newcastle #United