Newcastle United assistant manager Jason Tindall says he will offer Unai Emery his hand before the game at Villa Park tomorrow night – insisting he has no axe to grind with the Aston Villa boss.
Emery confronted Tindall in the first half of the 3-0 win over the second city side with the Londoner sent to the stands before reappearing at the final whistle wearing a Wham hoodie. Tindall’s Boxing Day spat with Emery resulted in an FA investigation after a 22-man tunnel brawl at St James’ Park in the corresponding fixture.
When asked if there would be any animosity, Tindall, speaking at Newcastle’s pre-match Press, 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 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.”
When asked if he would don the Wham hoodie again, after its appearance ended up in an official FA report no less, Tindall said: “There was a lot of talk before the home game. It was pre-arranged before the game. A fan asked me before the game to wear it, and I said I would if we won.”
As fate would have it, Tindall’s first away game as stand-in boss turns out to be in the face of Emery at Villa Park. Tindall said: “Football is a frustrating game. Both sets of players and coaches are not really thinking about that going into this game.
“We are not thinking about that. The most important thing is our preparation and what we do on the pitch.
“It is not about what happens in the technical area or in the tunnel, the important thing is the players are focused and able to go out there and put in a performance.”
Looking towards the game itself, Tindall said: “It is going to be an incredibly tough game. They have only lost one game this season against Arsenal.
“They have won 10 out of the last 11. Obviously, they are trying to achieve the same goal as we are.
“Every time we have been to Villa Park the atmosphere is very good, not only are we dealing with tough opposition we have to deal with the fans as well.”
