Unai Emery dismisses Aston Villa and Newcastle 'bust-up' ahead of huge Premier League clash

Emery and Magpies assistant Tindall were involved in a heated confrontation during the large-scale melee which took place in the tunnel at half-time of Villa’s 3-0 Boxing Day defeat at St James’s Park.

The incident, sparked by the visiting team’s unhappiness at a red card shown to striker Jhon Duran, resulted in Tindall and Villa analyst Victor Manas also being dismissed by referee Anthony Taylor.

Manas was subsequently given a two-match stadium ban after admitting a charge of improper conduct, while Tindall escaped further censure after the same charge was found unproven by a regulatory commission. Both clubs were fined.

Tindall will now take charge of the Magpies on Saturday as Eddie Howe continues his recovery from pneumonia. 

Speaking ahead of the match, Emery played down any ongoing resentment with the 47-year-old.

He said: “I don't have a problem. I only compete and I try to win and respect, always respect.

“Sometimes we can compete and maybe more than normal or maybe sometimes extremely competing. But always getting balance and there is no problem.” 

Tindall, speaking earlier in the day, said he would offer Emery a handshake before the start of the match.

He said: "I've said before. "I'll always offer my hand for the opposition manager.

"When you are playing a game all you want to do is win that is how I have always been. I'm very passionate, the only thing that crosses your mind during battle. It's a frustrating game at times. I'll certainly hold my hand out. And if he wants to shake it I am sure he will."

Saturday’s match could have huge repercussions in the race for a top-five Premier League finish.

Newcastle, who sit third in the table, could extend their lead over seventh-placed Villa to eight points with just five matches to play with a victory.

Both teams are in stunning form, with the Magpies winning their last five Premier League matches and Villa the previous four.

Emery, who almost became Newcastle boss a year before he joined Villa in November 2022, was effusive in his praise for the visitors and claimed his team would need to hit the same levels seen in Tuesday’s heroic Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain if they are to claim victory.

He said: “It is a huge challenge tomorrow to try to beat them. The level they have is similar to PSG or European teams.

“Of course, they are not playing this year in Europe. But they are a team with this progress after the owners came in three years ago. I think this progress is really clear. 

“Last year they were struggling, playing in Europe. They were struggling with a lot of injuries. But this year they are playing consistently, with not a lot of injuries. The last match and how they are playing is: ‘Wow’.”

Villa also head to Manchester City on Tuesday night, in another crucial fixture.

Emery continued: “This is the challenge and we can't stop. We can't rest a lot. We have to be ready for tomorrow. 

“We are extending this week in the level we started playing. Southampton is different, a little bit different. But PSG, tomorrow Newcastle, Tuesday, Manchester City. Wow.”