Howe criticises referees after controversial Aston Villa vs Newcastle FA Cup tie
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe questioned the state of officiating in elite football after his side overcame a series of glaring refereeing errors to beat Aston Villa 3-1 in an FA Cup tie that sparked renewed debate about video assistant refereeing. With VAR not in use until the fifth round, three major decisions went Newcastle’s way — and both managers and TV pundits were left aghast.
Three clear decisions that changed the game
The first half featured several pivotal moments that would have been handled differently had VAR been available. Tammy Abraham’s opening goal for Villa was clearly offside, yet the flag did not go up and the goal stood. Later, Villa’s Lucas Digne escaped what many described as a red card after a shin-high challenge on Jacob Murphy, an incident that left Newcastle frustrated on the touchline. The most contentious call came after the break when Digne handled the ball well inside the penalty area; the officials ruled the contact was outside the box and awarded a free-kick instead of a penalty. That decision denied Villa a clear chance to regain control and shifted momentum firmly in Newcastle’s favour.
Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot was sent off for a last-man foul on Murphy near the centre circle, a decision the referee correctly applied and one that changed the complexion of the contest. Down to 10 men, Villa were vulnerable and Newcastle took full advantage: Sandro Tonali scored twice, the first from a loose situation created by the red-card decision and the second a composed long-range strike, while Nick Woltemade wrapped up the comeback late on.
Howe: officials too reliant on VAR
Eddie Howe did not hold back in his assessment of the match officiating, suggesting that having VAR in place for most games has altered referees’ in-the-moment decision-making. "I think there's an argument to say that, because when VAR is there, there's always a, 'Well, I won't give that, but let's check it', " he said, adding that the safety net may blunt immediate judgement. Howe struck a conflicted tone: he appreciates the emotion of a goal being awarded on the pitch but also acknowledged that VAR provides accurate results that can be decisive on nights like this.
Howe stressed that errors are not deliberate and that referees make decisions based on what they perceive in real time. Still, he argued that without the technology officials made "a lot of errors" — an observation that will feed into the ongoing debate over whether elite football is now too dependent on the screens to get major calls right.
Wider reaction and what it means for the game
Critics and pundits were quick to voice their frustration, with some describing the handball decision as among the worst they had seen. High-profile commentators argued that officials appeared hesitant to make match-defining calls without the backup of video review, suggesting a wider cultural shift in refereeing expectations and risk tolerance.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, speaking after the tie, conceded that referees need the assistance of VAR, underlining a pragmatic view shared by many: the technology removes doubt in crucial moments, even if it diminishes some of the spontaneous emotion of the game. The match will inevitably be cited by those arguing for VAR’s consistent presence across competitions, while opponents will point to the value of pure, on-field decisions and the drama they create.
For Newcastle, the result advances them to the fifth round — the stage at which VAR will once again be available — and provides a welcome morale boost after a tense encounter. For Aston Villa, the outcome leaves questions about discipline and the impact of officiating on their cup hopes. The controversy at Villa Park ensures the VAR debate will remain loud as the competition progresses.
