Newcastle United assistant boss Jason Tindall had the last laugh after being sent off in the powder-keg victory against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Tindall was shown the red card in the tunnel at half-time for his part in a clash with Aston Villa officials before being separated by colleagues as Newcastle tried to get to their dressing room for the interval. However, after spending part of the second half in the Press box before being escorted to the stands by security, Tindall was re-united with the squad after the game.

He may not have been allowed to take part in the post-game lap of appreciation afterwards but Tindall was back in the dressing room and sporting a Wham T-shirt as a nod to his own terrace chant.

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Despite Tindall's absence in the dugout, he was serenaded to another rendition of the group's infamous 'Last Christmas'. After the game, he was cool as a cucumber as he chatted to friends and family near the media mixed zone.

As he did so, Aston Villa stars and staff trudged past before being booed onto the team bus outside the Milburn Stand reception. There's no doubt that Tindall will have been satisfied by Newcastle's intensity as they lived up to the slogan displayed around the stadium.

A banner simply has Eddie Howe's quotes from 2023 written on them which say: "We're not here to be popular, we're here to compete." The coach was celebrating a fantastic 3-0 win over Aston Villa which left the Champions League contenders floored at St James' Park.

If Newcastle can't take confidence from this they won't take it from anywhere. So it's now a case of bring on Manchester United at Old Trafford, right now it feels like Newcastle can give anybody a game!

Eddie Howe's post-game transfer narrative

The Magpies find themselves in a strong position squad-wise going into the new year. Unlike last term, when injuries ripped through Howe's squad, United are close to full strength with only Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles to come back in terms of outfield stars.

Nick Pope is also in the treatment room but is not thought to be a long-term problem and with Martin Dubravka in fine form, there is no stress as far as keepers are concerned. Howe would love to add to his current roster but knows that PSR is choking the Magpies at the moment.

After the game, Howe dropped a hint to Amazon Prime and said: "If we can strengthen [in January] that would be our preference, if we can't we have to get the best out of the squad."

As things stand, there are a few Premier League bosses who will be envious of what Howe has at his disposal.

Newcastle's incredible record against Villa at St James' Park goes on!

United inflicted the 18th defeat in the Premier League on Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Since the Magpies lost in 2005 to Villa, the day when Steven Taylor, Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer were sent off, Newcastle have chalked up 10 wins! Out of 28 Premier League fixtures between the sides, Villa have won just two and drew eight.

As Newcastle cruised to another win, Toon fans chanted: "Oh Aston Villa it's happening again."