Sandro Tonali scored twice as Newcastle United capitalised on Marco Bizot’s red card to earn a comeback win at Aston Villa in an action-packed FA Cup fourth-round tie at Villa Park.
In a game characterised by disputes over officiating decisions, Tammy Abraham collected Douglas Luiz’s pass to give Villa a 14th-minute lead with a goal Newcastle believed should have been ruled offside.
What a hit from Sandro Tonali! 🚀⚽🔥
His second strike completes Newcastle’s comeback from a goal down to taking the lead against Aston Villa ⚫⚪💪 pic.twitter.com/cP0sROWt87
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 14, 2026
The goal was not scrutinised in the absence of Video Assistant Referee technology in the fourth round, with Lucas Digne later fortunate to concede a free-kick rather than a penalty for handling a Kieran Trippier cross and escaping a red card for a rash tackle on Jacob Murphy.
There was less debate when Villa goalkeeper Bizot charged towards the halfway line and scythed down Murphy during first-half added time, prefacing Tonali drawing Newcastle level with a deflected shot from outside the box in the 63rd minute.
Having scored his first goal since May, Tonali made light of Bruno Guimaraes’ absence through injury by striking again from distance in the 76th minute before Nick Woltemade sealed the Magpies’ progress with two minutes remaining.
Justice for Newcastle? ⚫⚪
The Magpies wanted a penalty, but Sandro Tonali eventually scores anyway from the resulting free-kick! ⚽ pic.twitter.com/tADr63R6aC
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 14, 2026
Analysis: Villa vs Newcastle controversy in FA Cup
Fans and pundits are often critical of VAR, but this game was something of a throwback in its capacity to cause consternation at decisions without technology being involved.
Discussing Digne’s indiscretion, which appeared to clearly be inside the box, Manchester United record scorer Wayne Rooney told BBC Sport that the call was “one of the worst I’ve ever seen in football”.
🗣 “If you ever needed any evidence of the damage VAR has done to the referees, today is a great example.”
🗣 “That decision is one of the worst decisions I’ve seen in football.”@waynerooney and @alanshearer speak about the decision to not to award Newcastle a penalty ❌ pic.twitter.com/MJvWmmbHT1
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 14, 2026
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer also voiced his disbelief, but the ex-England striker’s former club have the considerable consolation of looking ahead to the fifth round after two of their key players rediscovered scoring form.
“That will do him the world of good,” former Three Lions midfielder Danny Murphy told the BBC of Woltemade’s goal, ending the Germany international’s 14-match wait for a goal on his 24th birthday.
“It was a poor mistake from Villa. It all began with a beautiful scooped pass from Tonali. I don’t know what Villa were doing playing triangles inside their box. It’s a lovely [finish].”
🗣️ “He’s high, he’s late and it’s a very, very dangerous tackle.” @alanshearer says Lucas Digne was “lucky” to not be sent off 😲 pic.twitter.com/WWJs5dyoXR
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) February 14, 2026
Aston Villa starting team vs Newcastle
Villa made seven changes from their 1-0 home win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League the previous Wednesday.
Bizot, Victor Lindelof, Pau Torres, Digne, Ross Barkley, Leon Bailey and Abraham were the new faces for the hosts, who remained without Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara.
Andres Garcia was on the bench following injury but Matty Cash was also unavailable with a knee problem, meaning Lamare Bogarde continued at right-back, while Pau Torres and Lucas Digne featured in defence.
Aston Villa starting XI: Marco Bizot, Lamare Bogarde, Victor Lindelof, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne, Leon Bailey, Amadou Onana, Ross Barkley, Douglas Luiz, Morgan Rogers, Tammy Abraham
Villa substitutes: Emiliano Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Emiliano Buendia, Ollie Watkins, Andres Garcia, Jadon Sancho, Ian Maatsen, Mohamed Kone
Newcastle United full line up vs Aston Villa
Newcastle brought in Aaron Ramsdale, Lewis Hall, Tonali, Murphy, Woltemade and William Osula from their win over Tottenham.
They were missing Joelinton, Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, Emil Krafth, Guimaraes and Lewis Miley through injury.
Newcastle required penalties to overcome Bournemouth at home in the third round following a 3-3 draw but reached the fifth round for the third consecutive season.
Howe’s side are 10th in the Premier League and face a demanding run of fixtures in the coming weeks, including matches against Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, as well as a Champions League knock-out play-off tie against Qarabag.
Newcastle United starting XI: Aaron Ramsdale, Kieran Trippier, Malick Thiaw, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall, Jacob Murphy, Jacob Ramsey, Nick Woltemade, Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, William Osula
Newcastle substitutes: Nick Pope, Anthony Gordon, Anthony Elanga, John Ruddy, Joe Willock, Alex Murphy, Leo Shahar, Sean Neave, Park Seung-Soo
Aston Villa vs Newcastle stats