Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Aston Villa and Newcastle United at Villa Park on February 14, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)placeholder image
Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Aston Villa and Newcastle United at Villa Park on February 14, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Aston Villa 1-3 Newcastle United player ratings: Here’s how Sandro Tonali, Nick Woltemade, Kieran Trippier and co fared in the FA Cup.
Eddie Howe made six changes from the side that won 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday with Nick Pope, Sven Botman, Bruno Guimaraes, Joe Willock, Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon dropping out with Aaron Ramsdale, Lewis Hall, Sandro Tonali, Jacob Murphy, Nick Woltemade and William Osula coming into the side.
Botman was rested for the match while Guimaraes, Lewis Miley, Joelinton, Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth all miss out due to injury. Yoane Wissa dropped out of the squad due to a knock.
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After an even start to the game, Villa took the lead through via a set-piece routine that was turned in by Tammy Abraham. With no VAR in place to overturn the decision and the linesman’s flag staying down, the goal stood.
The lack of VAR then worked in Newcastle’s favour as goalkeeper Marco Bizot was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Jacob Murphy. VAR may not have intervened had it been in place but Newcastle at least knew the on-field decision in their favour would stand.
But the red card came on the stroke of half-time as Villa led 1-0 at the break.
Newcastle grabbed an equaliser midway through the second half as Sandro Tonali’s deflected effort from the edge of the box found the back of the net. It came after another controversial moment which saw Newcastle awarded a free-kick opposed to a penalty despite Lucas Digne handling the ball inside the box.
Referee Chris Kavanagh deemed the handball outside of the box but Newcastle were able to score from the resulting free-kick.
Tonali then grabbed his and Newcastle’s second with an even better strike than his first as he found the bottom left corner from 25-yards.
Nick Woltemade then wrapped up the win in the closing stages as Newcastle pounced on a defensive error. It was the German forward’s first goal of 2026.
Aaron Ramsdale - 5
Couldn’t do much about the goal. Didn’t have much else to do other than a couple of comfortable claims.
Kieran Trippier - 6
Showed good energy and got off the pitch well but couldn’t create any chances for his teammates.
Malick Thiaw - 5
Conceded a free-kick, then let Tammy Abraham go for the goal that resulted from it. Although VAR may have saved him in the Premier League, it did this time. Booked during a shaky first half display.
Dan Burn - 7
Won the ball back with some aggressive pressing. Tried to cover quickly and deny Abraham scoring but wasn’t able to. Will be claiming the assist for Tonali’s second.
Lewis Hall - 7
A welcome return at left-back. Had a penalty shout turned down after some good footwork to get into the box. Came into his own in the second half as Newcastle pushed for goals.
Sandro Tonali - 9
Got around the pitch well and grabbed his first goal of the season with a well-hit strike from the edge of the box. Did brilliantly from the edge of the box again with an excellent finish into the bottom left corner to give Newcastle the lead in the closing stages. In the absence of Bruno Guimaraes, the Italian really stood up.
Jacob Ramsey - 7
Got the ball in some decent areas but hesitated to pull the trigger. A quietly effective display without any standout moments.
Jacob Murphy - 5
His best contribution was his touch away from Marco Bizot that saw the Villa goalkeeper sent off. Largely ineffective otherwise before being taken off.
Harvey Barnes - 5
Got into some good areas down the left and been on the receiving end of some tough challenges. A moderate threat but little is came off for him. Booked.
Nick Woltemade - 7
Held the ball up well under pressure but didn’t really threaten the goal until he found the net in the closing stages. His first goal of 2026.
William Osula - 5
Struggled to get involved on his return to the starting line-up. Put Villa under pressure with his high pressing but offered little when Newcastle were in possession.
Substitutes
Anthony Gordon - 6
On for Osula 64: Saw a shot deflect just wide shortly after coming on.
Anthony Elanga - 6
On for Murphy 64: Brought good energy down the right.
Joe Willock - n/a
On for Ramsey 80: Played a role in Woltemade’s strike.
Alex Murphy - n/a
On for Trippier 90
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