Tonali Shines as Newcastle Overcomes Villa in FA Cup Thriller
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – February 14, 2026 – Sandro Tonali delivered a standout performance, scoring two goals to propel Newcastle United to a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa in a dramatic FA Cup fourth-round clash at Villa Park.
Controversial Match at Villa Park
The match was marred by refereeing decisions that drew criticism from both sides, occurring without the benefit of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, which is not implemented until the fifth round of the FA Cup. Aston Villa took the lead through Tammy Abraham in the 14th minute, but the goal was subject to debate as Abraham appeared to be offside.
Tonali Leads Newcastle Comeback
Newcastle responded strongly, with Tonali leveling the score in the 63rd minute. He then put Newcastle ahead with a second goal shortly after. Nick Woltemade added a third goal in the 88th minute to seal the victory for the Magpies.
Red Card Shifts Momentum
A pivotal moment in the match came before halftime when Aston Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot was sent off for a foul on Jacob Murphy. This left Villa to play with 10 men for the majority of the second half.
Player Reactions
“Yesterday I was telling him, ‘you never score goals’, and today he scored two!”
Nick Woltemade, Newcastle United Striker
Woltemade also praised Tonali’s performance, stating He plays as a midfielder, like an experienced midfielder. He plays very well.
Tonali’s Impressive Form
Tonali’s brace marked the first time a Newcastle player has scored two goals from outside the box in a single game since Mohamed Diamé against Preston in October 2016.
Looking Ahead
Newcastle’s victory secures their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup. The team will be looking to build on this momentum despite the recent news that captain Bruno Guimaraes will be sidelined for two months.
FAQ
- Who scored the goals for Newcastle? Sandro Tonali (2) and Nick Woltemade.
- Who scored for Aston Villa? Tammy Abraham.
- Was VAR used in this match? No, VAR is not used in the FA Cup fourth round.
- What caused the controversy in the match? Several refereeing decisions were questioned by both teams, including an offside goal and a handball incident.
Newcastle demonstrated resilience and quality to overcome both a challenging opponent and questionable officiating, setting the stage for an exciting run in the FA Cup.