In a gripping FA Cup match, Newcastle United managed to defeat Aston Villa despite the controversy surrounding the officiating by referee Chris Kavanagh and his team. The match was marred by a series of questionable decisions that led to claims of shambolic refereeing, particularly given that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was not utilized in this game. Newcastle ultimately relied on two impressive long-range goals from Sandro Tonali to secure their victory against a notably shorthanded Villa side, who played with ten men for part of the match.

The game's officiating drew significant criticism from both players and fans alike, raising concerns about the reliability and quality of refereeing standards in domestic cups. With VAR being absent, many believe that the match's flow and fairness were compromised, leading to a farcical atmosphere that overshadowed the action on the pitch. Newcastle's resilience in the face of poor refereeing decisions showcases their determination, as they navigated a challenging situation to progress in the tournament.

As Newcastle moves forward in the FA Cup, this match may lead to discussions about the need for consistent officiating standards and the potential benefits of having VAR implemented in all cup matches to prevent controversies like this from recurring. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in officiating and its impact on the game, especially in high-stakes knockout situations like the FA Cup.