The Magpies are into the last 16 of the FA Cup thanks to a brilliant win in the second city
Newcastle's Sandro Tonali celebrates his first goa
Newcastle's Sandro Tonali celebrates his first goa(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
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Newcastle United booked their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with an excellent 3-1 win over Aston Villa.
Villa took the lead after Thiaw bundled over ex-England international Ross Barkley on 13 minutes to hand Villa a free-kick from 30 yards out. And Newcastle completely switched off as Douglas Luiz casually lifted the ball into the box and Tammy Abraham who chested down and converted from close range to put Villa ahead.
In fairness, Newcastle tried to play an offside trap but with no VAR the goal stood.
The game was swung into Newcastle's favour when Marco Bizot was sent off for a wild challenge on Jacob Murphy just before the break. And Newcastle hauled themselves level on the back of a genuine controversy.
Kieran Trippier's cross cannoned off the arms of Lucas Digne in the box but Chris Kavanagh did not award a penalty. Instead, the free-kick was clipped in by Trippier and punched clear by sub keeper Emiliano Martínez.
Sandro Tonali drilled the ball at goal and it beat the keeper via a deflection to tie things up. Tonali netted a second with 14 minutes left after good great work from Trippier and Dan Burn.
Newcastle took advantage of Villa dilly-dallying in the box before Joe Willock pressured the home back four into a mistake and Nick Woltemade fired home to make it 3-1.
Here's how United stars fared at Villa Park:
Aaron Ramsdale 7
Didn't have masses to do but proved worth as Newcastle's cup keeper.
Kieran Trippier 9
Played a big part in two of the goals. The driving force as he battles on during full-back crisis.
Malick Thiaw 8
Recovered from shaky start when giving away free-kick to put in a sold display.
Dan Burn 8
Set the tone at the back and weighed in with an assist.
Lewis Hall 8
Gave Newcastle plenty of options. Switched to right-back for closing stages.
Sandro Tonali 10
Stepped up to the big stage in the absence of Bruno to take the acclaim of 6,000 Toon fans by grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck. Two goals and a midfield masterclass.
Jacob Ramsey 8
Another encouraging display in midfield. Looked determined to get a result at his old ground.
Jacob Murphy 6
Could have done more with the ball. Just one accurate cross. But drew the fould that saw Bizot sent off and Digne could have easily gone just before for a horror challenge.
Harvey Barnes 7
Offered a threat in both halves. Not his best game but had Villa on the back-foot.
Nick Woltemade 8
Used in a deeper role but executed it perfectly with a host of aerial wins. Richly rewarded with a goal after doing plenty of the less glamorous stuff. Continuously pressed to apply pressure on the 10 men. Ended his goal drought with a well-taken strike.
William Osula 5
Just nine touches and one wayward shot. Did not grasp his chance, unfortunately.
Subs
Anthony Elanga (for Osula 62)
Anthony Gordon (for Murphy 62)
Joe Willock (for Ramsey 80)
Alex Murphy (for Trippier 90)
*Subs must play 15 minutes to get a mark