Newcastle United assistant manager Jason Tindall was sent off at half-time of the Boxing Day fixture against Aston Villa following an altercation with an analyst from the opposition.

Tindall was at the heart of the drama on the touchline throughout a fiery first half at St James’ Park, where Villa striker Jhon Duran was also sent off and his head coach, Unai Emery, raged against the officials following several decisions.

Tindall appeared to infuriate Emery when he complained about a foul given against Newcastle forward Alexander Isak, with the Villa coach ranting in his direction as a result.

But Tindall only irked his opponent further when he refused to look in the direction of the Villa dugout yet still pressed his finger to his lips to shush the Spaniard, who screamed obscenities in his direction in response.

But while the incident between Emery and Tindall was captured by photographers at pitchside, the half-time flare-up in the tunnel was not immediately available to view.

However, Tindall emerged for the second half in the unusual position of sitting behind the press box at St James’ Park, confirming communication from the officials that referee Anthony Taylor had shown Eddie Howe’s assistant a red card during the break as well as the same to a member of Villa’s analytics team.

The dismissals followed a controversial one for Villa forward Duran, who was sent off for violent conduct after being adjudged to have deliberately stamped on Newcastle defender Fabian Schar.

The incident came shortly after Emery had given his striker a tongue-lashing for something that he was evidently unhappy with, and his dissatisfaction was clear to see when he refused to get out of his seat as Duran erupted on his way to the tunnel, kicking a water bottle in anger as he was dragged off the pitch.

More to follow…