FA Cup fourth round result, player ratings and report after the highly controversial Aston Villa 3-1 Newcastle United.
Not even a clown show of a refereeing performance in Aston Villa’s favour could stop Unai Emery’s side from being dumped out of the FA Cup, as Newcastle United came from behind to win 3-1 at Villa Park on Saturday night.
Unai Emery’s side were on track to progress to the fifth round thanks to an offside Tammy Abraham goal, a yellow that should have been a red for Lucas Digne, and a fortunate avoidance of a Newcastle penalty for a Digne handball. But the Magpies, spurred on by Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot’s sending-off, a stunning double from Sandro Tonali and a first goal of 2026 from Nick Woltemade, turned the tie on its head.
Villa’s lead came through a highly contentious goal, as Abraham controlled Douglas Luiz’s dinked free-kick and fired past Aaron Ramsdale from an offside position on 14 minutes. As much as it was a genius set-piece routine - no doubt inspired by specialist Austin MacPhee - as Luiz nonchalantly chipped into the area when Morgan Rogers was shaping up to shoot, Abraham looked way offside. But, as there was no VAR available to intervene, the goal had to stand.
Luck was then on Villa’s side yet again, as Digne was very fortunate to avoid being sent off for a reckless challenge on Jacob Murphy. Digne sprinted and slid at full pelt, no doubt with great confidence that he would win the ball. But he didn’t, instead catching Murphy dangerously above the ankle. Digne apologised to Murphy straight away and looked relieved to retain his place on the field.
Villa did then go down to 10 on the verge of half time, when Bizot came darting out a good 40 yards from his goal and wiped out Murphy. The goalkeeper was rightfully shown red for his moment of madness, reminiscent of Emiliano Martinez’s sending-off away at Manchester United last season. Leon Bailey must take plenty of the blame, too, as he was the one to pass the ball away and allow Newcastle on their dangerous counter.
The circus of refereeing continued on the hour mark as Newcastle were somehow denied a penalty, much to the bemusement of everyone inside Villa Park. Digne clearly and obviously hand-balled Kieran Trippier’s cross as he raised his arms; that much was agreed between the officials. But referee Chris Kavanagh crazily suggested it was outside the box, even though it was very clearly inside. A good two yards inside, in fact.
Newcastle got some vengeance from the free-kick that followed as Sandro Tonali scored the all-important equaliser. Emiliano Martinez punched the cross only as far as Tonali, whose shot took a wicked deflection off Luiz and into the corner. The away end - expanded for the cup - went absolutely wild after venting their fierce frustrations only moments earlier.
The Toon then went on a march as Tonali scored a cracking second, drilling hard and low from 25 yards to beat Martinez for 2-1, before Woltemade scored to make it 3-1 late on. It was a gift for Woltemade, as Lamare Bogarde gave the ball away in his own box and Newcastle’s number 27 capitalised.
Emery, who was a despondent figure on the touchline for much of the second half, will have to work his Europa League magic - or perform a miracle and catch Arsenal in the Premier League - if Villa are to end their search for a trophy. Newcastle, meanwhile, will leave Villa Park as angry with the officials as they are delighted to progress.
Goalkeeper and defence ratings
Marco Bizot (sent off 45’): Saw red for a rash, blood-to-the-head moment at the end of the first half. What Bizot was doing all that way from his own box, only he will know. It was idiotic, quite frankly. 3
Lamare Bogarde: Hugely at fault for Woltemade’s goal as he passed the ball across his own area, giving it straigh to the goalscorer. Bogarde had kept Barnes at bay until then, but that mistake was absolutely dreadful. 4
Victor Lindelof: Got away with a blatant foul on Hall in the box early on, denying Newcastle a penalty. That’s another decision that went hugely in Villa’s favour. Struggled to maintain Emery’s desired structure in the second half as Newcastle ran ragged. 5
Pau Torres: Didn’t influence the game as much as he would have wanted to as Villa weren’t overly effective in the build-up during the first half. It was a similar story in the second as Villa had to defend their lead with 10 men. Didn’t cover himself in glory defensively. 5
Lucas Digne: Very lucky to avoid a red card in the first half as he steamed in and studded Murphy in the shin with a ludicrous challenge. Also got away with a handball in the box, instead giving away a free-kick. That free-kick led to Tonali’s first goal, though, so the handball didn’t exactly go without punishment. 4
Midfield and attack ratings
Douglas Luiz (off 78’): Notched his first assist since returning from Juventus with a disguised dink into the area for Abraham to convert. Went close to scoring a screamer in the first half as his powerful long shot dipped just over the bar. Booked for dragging back Woltemade just four minutes in but managed himself well to avoid a second yellow. Was the one to see Tonali’s shot deflect off him for Newcastle’s first goal. 7
Amadou Onana: Chopped in with some great tackles in the first half but lost his way in the second, losing his head somewhat as Villa desperately tried - and failed - to hold onto their lead. 5
Ross Barkley (off 66’): Looked fairly sharp in the number 10 role at times but struggled when he dropped a bit deeper when Villa had the numerical disadvantage. 6
Morgan Rogers (off 78’): Energetic for much of the first half and an outlet when Villa had 10 men. Got Thiaw in the book as he used his strength to spin away from the Newcastle defender. Gave the ball away more than usual in the second period, however, when he looked to tire. 6
Leon Bailey (off 45’): Had a shocking moment as he gave the ball away far too simply ahead of Bizot’s red card. Was the unfortunate one to be hooked when Martinez had to come on in Bizot’s absence, but rightfully so as he was part of the cause. 4
Tammy Abraham (off 66’): Netted his first Villa goal since 2019 to open the scoring. It was a good finish, too, as Abraham showed great composure to control the ball and knock it past Ramsdale. He won’t care that it should have been disallowed. Abraham didn’t do much more of note, but his hold-up play was decent enough. 7
Substitutes ratings
Emiliano Martinez (on 45’): Didn’t make a single save and conceded three. Martinez flapped at the cross before Tonali’s first goal. That has been a concerning habit lately. 5
Emiliano Buendia (on 65’): Wasn’t able to display some of the flair and confidence he has carried recently, instead going rather missing. 6
Ollie Watkins (on 65’): Didn’t do a great deal after coming on for Villa’s goalscorer. Watkins made a few decent runs into the channels but to no avail. 6
Ian Maatsen (on 78’): Came on in the advanced left wing role as Emery tried to give Villa an out-ball down the left. 6
Jadon Sancho (on 78’): Despite Villa crumbling, Sancho actually looked decent off the bench. The winger was sharp to beat his man and even completed a couple of nutmegs. Not that that matters on a night such as this, but he was bright. 7
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