Sandro Tonali scored twice as Newcastle United came from behind to beat 10-man Aston Villa 3-1 in a controversial FA Cup fourth-round tie at Villa Park on Saturday. The match was marred by several contentious decisions from referee Chris Kavanagh, who was promoted to the Uefa elite list in December, and his assistants, with no VAR available until the fifth round.
Aston Villa took the lead through Tammy Abraham, who was clearly offside when he scored his first goal for the club since 2019. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said: 'We had the benefit of replays and we felt very aggrieved. I think the referees and officials are making honest decisions. They've got them wrong on more than one occasion but I thought the players did really well to control their emotions, to stay calm.'
Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot was sent off just before half-time for a last-man foul on Jacob Murphy 45 yards from goal. Emi Martínez replaced him as substitute goalkeeper. Lucas Digne also escaped a red card for a dangerous challenge on Murphy earlier in the first half, receiving only a yellow.
Tonali equalised for Newcastle in the second half after a handball by Digne in the box was deemed to have occurred outside the area by Kavanagh. The Italian midfielder then scored his second goal, set up by Dan Burn, before Nick Woltemade sealed the win from close range. Villa manager Unai Emery said: 'VAR is necessary to help referees, to have as a reference.'
The victory books Newcastle's place in the fifth round, offering a potential route to silverware after last year's Carabao Cup final defeat. Howe's side must now cope without Bruno Guimarães, who is expected to miss up to 12 games through injury. Captain Kieran Trippier said: 'You see all this stuff on social media which he doesn't deserve. We are fully behind him.'
