Sandro Tonali showed up when Newcastle United needed him most, sending Aston Villa crashing out of the FA Cup.

With Bruno Guimaraes sidelined, everyone wondered who’d step up. Tonali didn’t just fill the gap; he owned it. News broke late the night before that Guimaraes would be out for ten weeks, and you could almost hear the groans from Newcastle fans. They haven’t won a single Premier League match without him this season. It felt like the season might be slipping away.

Newcastle supporters, already battered by years of bad luck and a never-ending injury list, braced for the worst. How would they survive without their midfield heartbeat? But when the pressure was on, Tonali took charge. He smashed in two long-range goals, turning Valentine’s Day into a celebration for the travelling Toon Army.

People have talked plenty about Tonali lately: whispers about his form, transfer rumours, what his agent might be up to, and even frustration after that loss to Manchester City. All of that faded away in 90 minutes. With two clinical strikes, he reminded everyone exactly where his loyalties lie. Sure, there’ll be more rumours before the summer, but right now, Newcastle have a midfielder who can fill the Guimaraes-sized hole.

Thanks to Tonali, everyone talked about Newcastle’s football after the match, not the referee’s blunders. Chris Kavanagh handed out dodgy cards and missed a few big calls, but Newcastle’s win made all that easier to swallow. If they’d lost, you can bet Eddie Howe would’ve had a few words.

But they didn’t lose, and Tonali ended up the hero, sending Newcastle into the FA Cup fifth round. Howe summed it up: “The only way Sandro can answer questions about his form is out on the pitch, and he did exactly that today. We needed players to step up with Bruno out, and all three midfielders did just that. Sandro got two, and Nick grabbed one; our midfielder made a huge difference. We're going to need that until Bruno’s back.”

Speaking of Nick Woltemade, he finally broke his goal drought after 14 games. The 6,000 away fans let him know how much they appreciated it, singing his name long after the final whistle.

Howe praised Woltemade too: “Nick was brilliant in that deeper role, and he deserved his goal. He’s been working hard, learning a new position, and today it paid off. He did the job, on and off the ball, and finished it off with a great goal. I’m really happy for him. Hopefully, this gives him the confidence to keep going and shows him what’s possible for his future here.”

Bruno Guimaraes’ injury has hit Newcastle United hard. The team’s captain just got back from an ankle problem for only his second start in five games, and then, against Tottenham, he limped off in stoppage time after helping the Magpies pull off a 2-1 win in North London.

After the match, Eddie Howe didn’t hide his concern. “He’s worried,” Howe admitted. “He’s never had hamstring trouble before, so he doesn’t know if it’s just cramp or something worse. Honestly, it feels more like an injury, but we’ll have to wait.”

Bruno sounded hopeful on Instagram: “Very happy with the win! This is what we should be doing. Proud of the team’s character. I just hope it’s not serious, and I’m back soon.”

But the news got worse. By Friday, with the FA Cup game at Aston Villa looming, Howe gave an update: “We’re still waiting for the full picture with Bruno’s hamstring. I don’t think he had any issues before, but late in the game, he was obviously tired. If we’d had a full bench, maybe we would have pulled him out earlier, but we didn’t have that option. We ran out of midfielders, so he stayed on, and then he got hurt.”

Now, ESPN Brazil reports Newcastle will be without their captain for at least two months. That’s a big blow; Bruno won’t be back before mid-April. Newcastle have never won a Premier League game without him since he joined in January 2022, so it’s not just any absence. He’ll also miss Brazil’s matches against France and Croatia. Word is, he’s heading home to get treatment from Rodrigo Lasmar, the Brazil team doctor.

All this leaves Newcastle short in midfield. With Bruno out, only Sandro Tonali, Jacob Ramsey, and Joe Willock are fit. Joelinton and Lewis Miley have missed recent games, but Howe is hopeful. “With Lewy, we’re taking it day by day. He’s got a dead leg, a knock to the thigh, and some muscle damage, but we don’t think it’s long-term. Hopefully, he’s back soon.”

“Joelinton’s doing well, too. He won’t make this game, but he’s not far off. He’s desperate to be involved, and that’s a good sign. He’s feeling positive.”

So, Newcastle face some tough weeks ahead. They’ll need some luck and their missing midfielders back if they’re going to keep their season alive.