Jhon Duran of Aston Villa reacts after receiving a red card
Newcastle United players were trying to “protect” Jason Tindall as he clashed with Aston Villa backroom team members at half-time of the feisty clash at St James’ Park.
The Magpies triumphed 3-0 as tempers flared after Jhon Duran’s red card in the first half. After that Unai Emery and Tindall squared up in the technical area before things erupted at half-time again with Villa analyst Victor Manas also shown a red card.
Speaking after the game, Eddie Howe offered an eyewitness account to what happened, saying: “I don’t think it’s far off [a mass melee]. These things always start, and there was no intention of it happening the way it did.
“It was probably 17 or 18 people trying to calm it down. But it looks like there are more people involved. Nobody wants to see that. It’s not at all how I want my players or staff to be
“But sometimes you have to stand up to what you think is right and protect each other. I am not 100% of that (what started it) because it goes over in a blur. I was right at the top of it, but I think it was frustrations spilling out from the first half.”
When asked about players getting involved, Howe said: “I don’t know the players’ side of it because I was standing right at the top so I did not see what happened behind me. But of course, we were all standing up each other and protecting ourselves.
“I don’t think we can go into details (on a Tindall confrontation) you can draw your conclusions on that.”
Howe also said he was surprised that Duran was dismissed after the decision infuriated Emery and his staff. He said: “I thought it was maybe harsh — that was my gut feel. I was a little surprised the red card came out.”
