Toon’s touching Tonali tribute

NEWCASTLE United fans had Villa Park rocking to its foundations for long periods last night as they made their Premier League clash feel like a home game.

Despite the ridiculous 8.15pm kick-off and the incredible travel commitments of the Geordie supporters, with some also hit by train cancellations to the second city on Tuesday, every decibel counted for Eddie Howe’s team. It had been Sandro Tonali’s sixth minute goal that got the season off to a flying start back in August during the 5-1 win over Aston Villa.

Tonali, of course, is currently serving a global ban after getting caught up in the Italian betting scandal last year, with FIFA and the Italian Football Federations coming down hard on the young midfielder.

Yet Newcastle fans were never going to turn their back on the former AC Milan ace.

Far from it, instead he is very much with the Newcastle fans after being paid tribute to both at Villa last night and at Fulham in the FA Cup win. One Villa fan behind the Press box was heard to say: “What are they singing now?” as he filed out of the famous old stadium.

The chant goes: “Sandro, ole, ole, ole. Sandro, ole, ole, ole. midfield maestro, from Milano. Sandro, ole, ole, ole.”

And long after most Villa fans had gone that chant was still cascading down from the away end.

A different situation for Bruno Guimaraes after Fulham

Bruno had cut a frustrated figure as he left the pitch at Craven Cottage despite the 2-0 win over Fulham. So much so that Howe had made his way over to him to console him after the Brazil midfielder expressed deep disappointment with his own performance.

After running the midfield at Villa Park on Tuesday though this was very different. Bruno knew he’d contributed much more and been the main man in the engine room.

And this time, rather than reflect on a slightly disappointing show, he raced over to the Toon

Army and punched the air. It was a joy to behold for Newcastle fans and for the

South American another sign he is going nowhere any time soon, despite continued links with Paris St-germain.

Newcastle so close to one of the perfect team goals

At 3-1, Newcastle were threatening to put the lid on this great away victory with a superb move. As time ticked down Anthony Gordon rolled the ball to Miguel Almiron before he galloped down the left wing.

Almiron then hooked the ball across to the back post for Bruno who trickled it into the path of Sean Longstaff. But the Geordie midfielder was denied by the legs of Emiliano Martinez.

It was a sign that Newcastle are getting back to their very best in terms of attacking movement.

United fans were chanting in support of Sandro Tonali during Tuesday’s Villa victory