Bizot sent off as Newcastle fight back to knock Villa out | OneFootball

Newcastle United knocked 10-man Aston Villa out of the FA Cup in a thrilling match that was full of refereeing controversy.

Depending on your perspective, the lack of VAR in this round of the FA Cup is either a fun throw back to the era before technology or evidence as to why it is needed.

Had there been any VAR at Villa Park for this one the officials would have been even more busy. The first goal, Tammy Abraham's first since returning to England, would certainly have been ruled out.

It was a clever move though, Newcastle's defence were caught off guard as Douglas Luiz chipped in a freekick behind the defence that Abraham did well to follow the path of the ball and finish.

Then there were two potential red card incidents shortly before the break with only one being shown.

The first was a rash tackle by Lucas Digne on Jacob Murphy out on the right. The defender had his studs up but only received a yellow while the wound on Murphy's shin made it very clear where the contact was.

Then in first-half stoppage time a slip by Leon Bailey following a corner led to Newcastle being able to counter into an empty Villa half. Marco Bizot was out of his goal to try and sweet up but Murphy got there first with the goalkeeper lunging to take the player down and getting a straight red for his troubles. 

That was a decision by referee Chris Kavanagh that VAR probably wouldn't have overturned.

With superior numbers, Newcastle began the second half with all of the possession and equalised following another controversial decision.

A cross from the right was blocked by the arm of Lucas Digne with Kavanagh awarding a freekick on the edge of the area despite the defender clearly being in the box.

However, from that resulting freekick the ball eventually fell to Sandro Tonali on the edge of the area whose effort took a deflection off of Douglas Luiz making it impossible for Martínez to stop.

There was nothing the goalkeeper could do to stop Tonali's second either although that one was a far more clear hit as again the midfielder fired in from the edge of the area with this effort perfectly placed into the bottom-left corner. After having not scored all season, the Italian suddenly had two.

Now 2-1 down and with one player fewer it was always going to be difficult for the Villans to get back into the game and as they began to put the pressure on a defensive mix-up at the back in the 88th minute finished the game off.

Villa were trying to play out from inside their own box and gave the ball away with Nick Woltemade in the right place to capitalise and make it 3-1.

That goal killed the game off allowing the travelling support to enjoy the final minutes as Villa Park emptied out.

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

The match begins

8':

Missed opportunity! Harvey Barnes from Newcastle United took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide to the left. The assist came from Kieran Trippier.

Aston Villa takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Newcastle United. Tammy Abraham scores with a right-footed shot from the middle of the box, sending the ball straight into the center of the goal. The assist came from Douglas Luiz after a set piece.

14':

GOAL Aston Villa: Tammy Abraham (Aston Villa) scores!

Tammy Abraham scores goal number 1 in the competition (1 matches)

16':

Missed opportunity! William Osula from Newcastle United takes a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it goes over the bar and to the right.

27':

Missed opportunity. Leon Bailey from Aston Villa attempted a header from the middle of the penalty area.

34':

Missed opportunity. Harvey Barnes from Newcastle United took a left-footed shot from a challenging angle on the left side, but it didn't hit the target.

38':

Missed opportunity. Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area.

45 +1':

Red Card for Marco Bizot (Aston Villa)

Marco Bizot has now picked up 0 red in the competition (2 matches)

63':

GOAL Newcastle: Sandro Tonali (Newcastle) scores!

Sandro Tonali scores goal number 1 in the competition (2 matches)

It's Aston Villa 1, Newcastle United 1. Sandro Tonali scores for Newcastle United with a right-footed strike from outside the penalty area, placing the ball into the bottom left corner after a set piece play.