Sandro Tonali scored twice as Newcastle beat Aston Villa 3-1 in a controversial FA Cup tie at Villa Park to reach the fifth round.
Newcastle United produced a powerful second half comeback to beat Aston Villa 3-1 in a heated FA Cup fourth round tie. Played at Villa Park, the match swung on controversy, discipline, and Sandro Tonali’s quality. Villa led at the break despite playing most of the game without VAR support. Newcastle responded with composure and cutting edge to reach the last 16.
Villa struck first in the 14th minute under disputed circumstances. Douglas Luiz clipped a free kick into the area and Tammy Abraham controlled before finishing smartly. Replays suggested Abraham was offside, but the flag stayed down. With no VAR in use at this stage, the goal stood and heightened the tension inside Villa Park.
The home side grew in belief after the opener. Leon Bailey headed wide and Luiz later drove over from range. Newcastle struggled to settle and voiced clear frustration with several decisions.
The game turned sharply in first half stoppage time. Jacob Murphy raced onto a long pass after a Villa corner broke down. Goalkeeper Marco Bizot charged out and scythed Murphy down near halfway. The referee had little choice but to show a straight red card.
Villa sacrificed an outfield player to introduce substitute keeper Emiliano Martinez. Despite the dismissal, they reached half time with a 1-0 lead. Newcastle regrouped knowing momentum had finally shifted.
Newcastle pressed with purpose after the restart and made their extra man count. A key moment arrived in the 63rd minute following another contentious call. Lucas Digne handled inside the box, but only a free kick was awarded. From that set piece, Kieran Trippier delivered and Tonali struck from distance, his effort deflecting into the net.
The equaliser settled Newcastle. They circulated the ball faster and pinned Villa deeper. Confidence surged as Villa tired.
Thirteen minutes later, Tonali delivered again. Picking up space outside the area, he unleashed a fierce strike into the corner. It was his first brace for the club and his first goals since May. The away end erupted as control firmly shifted.
Villa tried to rally but lacked structure. Newcastle managed the game smartly and limited risks.
Newcastle wrapped up the tie in the 88th minute. Nick Woltemade reacted quickest to a loose ball and finished from close range. The goal ended a long personal drought and capped a memorable night. Villa Park emptied quickly as the contest slipped away.
Villa led expected goals 0.72 to 0.29 at half time. By full time, Newcastle edged it 1.31 to 0.77. Tonali became the first Newcastle player since 2016 to score twice from outside the box in one match. The Magpies reached the fifth round for a second straight season.
Newcastle travel to Qarabag in the Champions League on Wednesday before facing Manchester City on Saturday. Villa return to league action at home to Leeds United next weekend, with focus now shifting firmly to domestic priorities.
