The Magpies recorded a hard-fought 3-1 FA Cup victory over Aston Villa on Saturday evening
Newcastle Untied head coach Eddie Howe congratulates Sandro Tonali
Newcastle Untied head coach Eddie Howe congratulates goalscorer Sandro Tonali(Image: Getty Images)
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Newcaste United have only won once without Bruno Guimaraes in their starting XI since he arrived at the club four years ago.
Make that twice now. With the news of the Brazilian's enforced lay-off breaking on the morning of United's FA Cup fourth-round tie with Aston Villa, you could forgive the 6000 fans travelling to Birmingham if they feared they were in for a long evening.
Tammy Abraham's first-half goal, and the lack of a linesman's flag to rule it out, did little to add to the mood, but in truth, Newcastle were unfortunate to be behind before turning it around to win 3-1.
Villa have midfield issues of their own, with John McGinn, Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara all ruled out, while Lewis Miley and Joelinton were missing from United's engine room.
It was all the more important then, that Sandro Tonali stepped up to the plate. Anyone who has watched Newcastle over the last two seasons will know the Italian can make United tick.
Not in the way Bruno does, but when he is on form, he is an almost unstoppable force in the Newcastle midfield.
Don't be fooled by the fact Villa went down to 10 men after goalkeeper Marco Bizot was sent off on the brink of half-time.
Villa boss Unai Emery made changes, but kept his three-man midfield, opting to go with Tammy Abraham and Morgan Rogers as a two-man forward line.
That meant the midfield battle was as fierce as ever, and Tonali stood out as United's warrior.
It will be his goals which grab the headlines, and with good reason, especially the second, which was as sweetly-struck a shot as you could wish for, which gave Emi Martinez no chance.
Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali and Nick Woltemade celebrate at Villa Park
Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali and Nick Woltemade celebrate(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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But when Tonali really stood up was when Villa threatend a late resurgence, before Nick Woltemade's third goal in the dying stages. The Italian was back to his prowling best, always on the spot on block, tackle or clear.
Howe, who has played down talk of Tonali wanting to leave, knew the value of his performance, and the two shared a warm embrace at the final whistle.
Who knows what the summer will bring, but on this evidence, United fans can be sure Tonali only has one focus for the remainder of the season - and that can only be good news.
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