Unai Emery tried to confront Newcastle United assistant coach Jason Tindall during a Boxing Day brawl that left one of the Aston Villa coaching staff flat on his backside - although it has emerged he was the victim of his own aggression.

In a game that saw Jhon Durán sent off for raking his studs down Fabian Schar, things boiled over in the technical area, resulting in a stadium ban for Victor Manas and a warning for Tindall, who will face no action. But the full details of the 20-man brawl have now emerged, and include a line that Eddie Howe was also confronted by Villa's Leon Bailey.

The FA have released the report of the tunnel flare-up between Tindall - who was sent off on the day - and Aston Villa's coaching staff over the festive period - with Villa complaining about Tindall's Wham hoodie and a previous incident at Villa Park.

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An independent Regulatory Commission has heard the cases in relation to Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Victor Manas and Jason Tindall that followed the mass confrontation at their Premier League fixture on Thursday 26 December 2024.

An FA statement read: "It was alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players and/or technical area occupants did not behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the tunnel area at half time. It was also alleged that the Aston Villa analyst and Newcastle United assistant manager acted in an improper manner during the same incident.

"Both clubs and Victor Manas admitted to their respective charges, and Jason Tindall denied the allegation against him. The Regulatory Commission imposed a £30,000 fine and warning upon Aston Villa, a £20,000 fine and warning upon Newcastle United, and a two-match ground ban and £4,000 fine on Victor Manas. The Regulatory Commission found the charge against Jason Tindall to be not proven, and he will face no further action."

Referee on the day of the 3-0 win over Villa, Anthony Taylor, of Manchester said in his report: "I have to report that I, as the Referee sent off Jason Tindall of Newcastle United FC Under Law 12 section: Physical or aggressive behaviour (including biting and spitting).

"At half-time when arriving in my changing room I was advised by the 4th official, Leigh Doughty, that there had been a confrontation in the tunnel area which was caused by Victor Manas (Aston Villa head of analysis) who had been shouting aggressively towards Mr Tindall which subsequently caused an aggressive verbal altercation.

"This caused a further confrontation to take place of approx 20 players and staff. I was also advised that Mr Tindall had to be prevented from becoming involved further.

"Post match I have a civilised discussion with Mr Tindall and also advised him I would ask the FA to review any available footage of the incident as he alleged that the Aston Villa head coach, Unai Emery, had confronted him and should also have been sanctioned."

Taylor went on: "Following an altercation at half-time in the tunnel are aapprox. 20 players and staff from both teams were involved in a confrontation which was witnessed by the 4th official Mr Doughty.

"I was informed that the head of analysis from Aston Villa, Mr Victor Manas had started this incident by shouting aggressively towards Newcastle's assistant manager, Mr Tindall. Mr Manas also started to shout at myself as I moved through the tunnel area, disagreeing with the red card issued to an Aston Villa player, but was not abusive to me, however having asked him to move into the entrance of my changing room, Mr Manas was informed that he would be reported for his actions.

"At the conclusion of the match, I spoke to Mr Tindall who alleged the Aston Villa head coach, Mr Emery, had been involved and also deserved further sanction, therefore I suggest that any available footage from the incident be reviewed."

Villa officials were rattled after they claimed Tindall had shushed their staff with his finger. Sharon Barnhurst, AVFC Club Secretary, said in her report: "I have taken the opportunity to talk to various people who were present both pitch-side and in the tunnel at half time and I give below our observations:

"During the first half, the NUFC assistant manager, Jason Tindall, on 3 or 4 occasions was waving his finger at “shushing” our Head Coach, Unai Emery, in a very disrespectful and antagonising manner.

"The 4th Official wasn’t helpful and didn’t try and put a stop to this. On the way back inside at half time, our Analyst, Victor Manas, asked Mr Tindall to stop antagonising Mr Emery and this escalated into a heated exchange of words.

"As the situation escalated, Mr Tindall moved towards Mr Manas in an aggressive and confrontational manner and required the intervention of our Head of Security who positioned himself between both parties to de-escalate the situation.

"Meanwhile, players and staff from both teams continued to navigate through the narrow tunnel space. While this was going on, a member of staff from NUFC (Simon Weatherstone) also pushed our Director of Football Operations (Damian Vidagany) in the back causing him to lose balance and fall over. MrManas was requested into the referees’ room at this point.

"Mr Tindall remained in the tunnel area and continued to display aggressive and vocal behaviour. Due to the confined nature of the tunnel and the number of individuals present, a concerted effort by all parties swas required to separate the teams and ensure they proceeded to their respective changing rooms without further incident.

"Subsequently, Mr Manas exited the referees’ room, and Mr Tindall was summoned to meet with the officials. Upon entering the referees’ room, Mr Tindall’s demeanour grew increasingly hostile.

"He directed accusations toward both the referees and Aston Villa staff, contributing to a tense and heated exchange behind closed doors. After several minutes, Mr Tindall exited the referees’ room. His behaviour remained aggressive, and he continued to use expletives and make gestures as he left the area.

"Mr Tindall on the 85th minute reappeared within the tunnel wearing a WHAM jumper joking around with other members of Newcastle United’s staff. He remained in the tunnel area until the full-time whistle. He then re-entered the pitch area of St James' Park to celebrate their victory and was again involved in a tense exchange ofwords with our assistant head coach.

"After the game Mr Tindall remained in the tunnel area positioned in front of the away dressing room. His behaviour was that of someone who wanted to continue heated dialogue with our staff as they tried to leave the stadium in particular Mr Manas again. It should be noted that Mr Tindall also displayed this type of behaviour last season at our match at Villa Park."

Newcastle were asked to provide CCTV footage of the incident to the FA but could not provide any. A Newcastle statement read: "The Club has undertaken its standard internal checks from (1) its safety and security team; and (2) its media team and can confirm that the Club is not in possession of any footage of any kind (including CCTV) of the incident described in the Extraordinary Incident Reports.

"Following the conclusion of the first half, Victor Manas (VM) was standing in the tunnel area waiting for NUFC Assistant Head Coach Jason Tindal (JT). VM then confronted JT in an aggressive manner and started to shout at him. JT verbally responded to VM.4. Unai Emery, Aston Villa’s Manager (UE), then confronted JT by squaring up to him and shouting at him from a close proximity. Edward Howe, the Club’s Head Coach, positioned himself in between UE and JT."

As Manas was walking backwards he stumbled against the steps but was uninjured. Newcastle say the confrontation was only verbal.

Tindall said in the hearing: "(I was) in total control of [his] emotions”

Tindall also said VM shouted “show some f**ing respect” and “lose the finger” (this being a reference to JT having put his finger to his lips during an earlier incident in the match). He said that he had told VM to“shut up”

Tindall also said that Emery had also confronted him to which he replied: "(Are you) trying to antagonise me?" Tindall admitted he said to Emery: "What’s your problem?” or “What’s your ***king problem?”

But crucially, he had not reacted physically in any way other than trying to get past UE. Tindall denied the charges.

The commission concluded: "The Commission considered that, given the level of provocation he had received fromthree members of the AVFC staff in the passageway, including provocation from UE, theopposing team’s Manager, JT had acted in a remarkably calm and controlled manner.

"Although there was clearly some verbal exchange, JT appeared to be simply attempting to walk back to the NUFC dressing room. The Commission took JT’s prior controlled and restrained behaviour in the passageway into consideration when assessing how JT may have acted in the foyer."

The FA's list of the incident (noted via footage from broadcaster Amazon) in chronological order in the report read:

• JT enters the passageway on the left-hand side;

• VM enters the passageway towards the right-hand side, shouting and pointing at JT;

• JT, whilst continuing to walk away, turns his head, points and says something back to VM.

• UE, who was in advance of JT, having waited for JT to approach, moves across the path of JT and stands directly in front of JT, blocking his way.

• JT attempts to pass by UE.

• As JT and UE move up the stairs face-to-face, an AVFC staff member steps between JT and UE. (N.B. – there is some confusion as to the identity of this person – from the written submissions it is not written submissions it is not clear if he is Director of Football Operations at AVFC, Damian Vidagany, or the AVFC Head of Security – during the Personal Hearing he was referred to as the ‘Man in Black’ (‘AVFC MiB’) and as such that is how he will be referenced henceforth in this document.)

• The AVFC MiB being slowly pushed backwards by JT and another NUFC staff member at the top of the stairs.

• The AVFC MiB slowly losing his footing and sitting down backwards.

• JT moves past the AVFC MiB and out of sight;

• Numerous players and staff from both teams pass by and out of sight.