The road to the FA Cup fifth round was anything but smooth for Newcastle United, but after a dramatic evening at Villa Park, the Magpies have officially secured their spot in the final sixteen. The match was a whirlwind of controversy and resilience, starting with a goal from Aston Villa’s Tammy Abraham that many felt should have been disallowed.
However, the momentum of the tie shifted significantly just before the halftime whistle. Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Jacob Murphy, leaving the hosts to defend their lead with only ten men for the remainder of the contest.
Even with a man advantage, Newcastle had to fight against a series of baffling officiating decisions. The most notable moment of frustration occurred when referee Chris Kavanagh ruled that Lucas Digne had handled the ball outside the penalty area. Despite clear replays showing the defender was well inside the box, a free-kick was awarded instead of a penalty.
Fortunately for the traveling supporters, justice was served almost immediately. The resulting set-piece led to an equalizer from Sandro Tonali, who then doubled his tally with a clinical strike fifteen minutes from time. Nick Woltemade added a third late in the game to put the result beyond doubt, sparking a wave of excitement as fans began to look toward the upcoming draw.
The Football Association has now confirmed the official details for the fifth-round draw. Fans won’t have to wait long to discover Newcastle’s next opponent, as the ceremony is scheduled for Monday, February 16.
The event will take place just before the final match of the fourth round kicks off, which sees non-league Macclesfield host Premier League side Brentford. Television coverage is expected to begin around 6:35 PM, with the draw itself serving as the main appetizer before the action on the pitch begins.
For those eager to watch the drama unfold live, the draw will be broadcast on TNT Sports 1 and made available for streaming via discovery+. In an effort to make the competition as accessible as possible, the FA will also provide a live stream on the TNT Sports YouTube channel.
The task of pulling the balls from the drum has been handed to two recognizable figures in English football: former Chelsea and West Ham playmaker Joe Cole and legendary England international Karen Carney.
Newcastle United will be represented by ball number 13. While many view the number as unlucky, the Magpies will simply be hoping for a favorable draw that keeps their dreams of silverware alive.
The field is still packed with heavyweight contenders, including Liverpool (1), Chelsea (7), West Ham (8), Manchester City (14), and Arsenal (provided they overcome Wigan). There are also plenty of potential “banana skin” fixtures against the likes of Wrexham (5), Sunderland (3), and Leeds United (16).
| Ball Number | Team | Ball Number | Team |
| 1 | Liverpool | 9 | Mansfield Town |
| 2 | Fulham | 10 | Norwich City |
| 3 | Sunderland | 11 | Port Vale or Bristol City |
| 4 | Southampton | 12 | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| 5 | Wrexham | 13 | Newcastle United |
| 6 | Arsenal or Wigan | 14 | Manchester City |
| 7 | Chelsea | 15 | Macclesfield or Brentford |
| 8 | West Ham United | 16 | Leeds United |
Following the win over Villa, manager Eddie Howe reflected on the emotional rollercoaster his team endured. He admitted that it felt like every major decision was weighted against them, particularly the missed penalty for handball which he claimed was obvious even from his vantage point in the dugout.
However, he was quick to praise his players for maintaining their discipline and focus. Breaking down a stubborn, ten-man defense is rarely as easy as it looks on paper, and Howe was pleased with the patience shown by his squad in the second half.
Looking ahead, Howe emphasized that Newcastle remains fully committed to a deep cup run. He noted that as the competition reaches its latter stages, the intensity only increases and the “easy” draws disappear.
For a club that hasn’t tasted major domestic success in decades, the FA Cup represents a massive prize and a chance to write a new chapter in its storied history. Whether they face a lower-league underdog or a fellow Premier League giant, the goal remains the same: push as far as possible and bring a trophy back to the North East.
