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
Alan Shearer has commented on Sandro Tonali’s future at Newcastle United after comments from the player’s agent.
On the eve of the game, the Magpies were rocked by the news that captain Bruno Guimaraes would be ruled out until April with a hamstring issue.
And for an hour at Villa Park, Eddie Howe’s side were left wondering if they were ever going to catch a break after being on the wrong end of several bad refereeing calls.
With no VAR in operation, Tammy Abraham’s opener was allowed to stand despite the striker being offside, while United had two legitimate penalty appeals turned down after Harvey Barnes and Lewis Hall went down in the box.
Lucas Digne was also fortunate to escape with only a yellow card after a late challenge on Jacob Murphy before referee Chris Kavanagh did eventually reach for his back pocket to send off goalkeeper Marco Bizot after he brought down Murphy.
If Newcastle thought the officiating drama was first-half only then they sadly mistaken. Kieran Trippier’s cross hit the arm of Digne and despite it clearly being in the box, Kavanagh and his assistant awarded a free-kick.
Fortunately, justice was served as Tripper’s delivery was cleared in Tonali’s path, whose shot deflected in off Douglas Luiz. The Italian then made it 2-1 with a stunning low strike before Nick Woltemade made sure of the victory in the 88th minute.
Alan Shearer comments on Sandro Tonali speculation
After scoring the second goal, Tonali celebrated in front of the 6,000 travelling Geordies before running over to the dugout to embrace Howe. It was that gesture, plus his post-match comments, why Newcastle legend Alan Shearer believes people shouldn’t be reading too much into the midfielder’s future.
Shearer told the Rest is Football Podcast: “They all have to step up [in Bruno Guimaraes’ absence]. Tonali did that. We said that before the game, who is the one that is going to step up and take the captain's place and do what he's done so many times for Newcastle is either play that killer pass, produce something special to get the result? And Tonali did that yesterday.
“ I saw that as well [links to Arsenal]. I don't know whether it's an agency connected with him or not. I don't know. I'm not sure. He hasn't hit the heights a lot of times this season from what he did to last season.
“I loved his reaction yesterday. I loved all of the players' reactions, particularly against Spurs, when they pushed Eddie Howe forward to the front of the fans.
“I don't know whether you saw the interview but Tonali and Kieran Trippier both praised Eddie Howe and what he's done and how much they love working with him and all of that. I really enjoyed that and I thought that was great.
“I think judging by his reaction, then I wouldn't look too serious into it.”
Sandro Tonali on his ‘perfect’ relationship with Eddie Howe
Amid all the noise, Tonali told NUFCTV: “After the second goal, I came to Eddie because in the past week, people spoke a lot about our relationship.
“I work every day with the gaffer, the gaffer works every day with me. Our relationship is perfect - it is not broken. We try to do the best for this team.”
Meanwhile, Howe added: “We've got a great relationship. 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.”
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