Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammate Dan Burn 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 with teammate Dan Burn 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
Sandro Tonali scored twice as Newcastle United beat Aston Villa 3-1 in the FA Cup.
The Italian’s future has been a big topic of conversation in recent weeks after he was reportedly offered to Premier League leaders Arsenal on winter transfer deadline day.
While his agent Giuseppe Riso strongly denied that was the case, his comments have only fuelled talk of a summer exit. But this time, Tonali was in the headlines for all the right reasons from a Newcastle perspective.
Rocked by Bruno Guimaraes’ hamstring injury, Tonali stepped up to the plate as United came from 1-0 down to beat 10-man Villa to progress into the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Sandro Tonali embraces Eddie Howe after second goal v Aston Villa
The 25-year-old netted the equaliser on the hour mark when his shot deflected off Douglas Luiz he made it 2-1 with a drilled effort into the bottom left corner.
After celebrating in front of the travelling Toon fans, Tonali headed over to the dugout and embraced Howe.
“We've got a great relationship,” Howe reacted. “I think there's a healthy respect between us. I'm very grateful for how Sandro's committed to everything that I've asked him to do.
“I think he's grateful for the fact that we've backed him in every sense and continue to want to see him flourish and play his very best football here.”
Eddie Howe on Sandro Tonali speculation
The speculation surrounding Tonali’s future has put his recent form into sharp focus, with many feeling the Italy international has been underperforming.
In response, Howe replied: “I think the only way Sandro can answer any question on his performance is on the pitch, and today he responded really well.
“We needed players to step up in Bruno's absence, we needed the creativity gap that Bruno will leave filled, we needed the passion that Bruno shows on the pitch filled and I thought all three midfielders did that.
“Sandro's got two goals, Nick's got a goal, so our midfield contributed massively and I'm really pleased with everybody, we're going to need that in his absence throughout the time that he's out.”
Newcastle United stance on Sandro Tonali’s future
Tonali is under contract until 2029, which includes an option of a further year, after signing an extension as a show of loyalty during his 10-month betting ban.
He has been linked with not only Arsenal, but Manchester United and Manchester City in the past week but the message from Newcastle is that Tonali is not for sale
But they’ve been here before after watching Alexander Isak forced his £130million British record move to Liverpool last summer.
“As far as I'm aware, we've got a player that's an outstanding footballer, an outstanding person,” Howe said earlier this month.
“He's very happy here, he's got a great relationship with me, his teammates. He seems really, really happy within himself, so that would surprise me, but I think he's always going to be attracting, or our best players will always be attracting glances from other clubs. That's just the reality of football.
“We want to keep the group together, we want to keep being progressive and, of course, Sandro plays a part in that, trying to hit his best levels and play as well as he can to help the team. So, all encompassed, I don't see an issue, but as I say, I'm not in control of everything.
“Certainly there was no intention from our side to lose Sandro at all. I think he's such an integral player to what we're doing. I think he's very happy here, he loves playing for Newcastle and loves representing the city.”
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