Eddie Howe blasts officiating after 'lots of errors' in FA Cup win over Aston Villa
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe criticised match officials after a chaotic FA Cup tie at Villa Park, insisting referees have grown too dependent on VAR and made "a lot of errors" in its absence. The Magpies recovered from a questionable opener and a string of contentious calls to win 3-1 against 10-man Aston Villa, but post-match attention focused squarely on the officiating.
Howe: VAR has become a safety net and has dulled on-field decision-making
Howe said there is a noticeable change in how referees operate when VAR is not available. "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. He argued that the presence of video review has given officials a fallback that may blunt split-second decision-making when VAR is not in use.
The Newcastle boss acknowledged the emotional trade-offs VAR produces — the immediate joy of an unchallenged on-field decision versus the accuracy that technology can provide. He added that while officials do not make mistakes deliberately, the absence of VAR on the night contributed to several decisions that could easily have swung the tie the other way.
Pundits and managers pile in as debate over refereeing without VAR reignites
Televised pundits and rival managers were blunt in their assessments of the officiating, with some describing certain calls as among the worst they had seen. One high-profile former striker labelled the handling decision inside the box as "one of the worst decisions" he had witnessed. Aston Villa's manager also reiterated his long-held view that VAR is necessary to help referees with game-changing moments.
Criticism centred on three major incidents: the opening goal, which stood despite a clear offside; a dangerous shin-high tackle that some believed warranted a red card; and a handball that appeared to occur well inside the penalty area but was ruled to have occurred outside. The officials did make at least one correct major call — the dismissal of the Villa goalkeeper for a reckless challenge — but that alone could not quell the ensuing controversy.
Turning points on the pitch and what it means for Newcastle's FA Cup run
Despite the refereeing drama, Newcastle turned the game around. With Villa down to 10 men after the goalkeeper was sent off, Sandro Tonali struck twice — first converting from the rebound of a set-piece incident that many felt should have been a penalty, then scoring a long-range effort — before Nick Woltemade sealed the win late on. The result sends Newcastle into the next round of the FA Cup and keeps their cup hopes alive even as they juggle other competitions.
Howe insisted his players stayed composed amid the confusion and frustration. He praised their temperament and resilience, noting that the team had to manage both the numerical advantage and the psychological aftermath of contentious decisions. Newcastle now progress, but the post-match discourse is likely to ensure this fixture is cited again in broader arguments about how elite football should be officiated when video review is not available.
The debate over VAR's role is far from settled. This night at Villa Park offered a stark reminder that, in the absence of video intervention, human error can have immediate and substantial effects on the outcome of a match — and that managers, pundits and supporters alike remain deeply divided on whether the technology ultimately helps or undermines the sport's emotion and integrity.
